Well Water Fact Sheets

The Chief Medical Officer of Health advises all well owners affected by flooding to boil water before consumption or use alternative supplies of drinking water until flooding subsides and subsequent bacterial testing confirms the bacterial safety of their water supply.

Manitoba Health has created the following six fact sheets to assist in the testing and disinfecting of well water.  Please note:  you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these documents.

	Fact Sheet #1: "How Do I Know If My Well Water Is Safe From Bacterial Contamination?" To be safe for drinking, your well water's bacteriological, chemical and physical parameters should meet the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.  This fact sheet addresses the bacterial safety of drinking water.  2 pages. (March 2001) français
	Fact Sheet #2: "How Do I Test My Well Water for Bacterial Contamination?" There are a number of accredited and non-accredited laboratories that are capable of carrying out bacteriological testing.  It is recommended that the bacterial analysis of drinking water samples be carried out by an accredited laboratory.  3 pages. (March 2001) français
	Fact Sheet #3: "What Do I Do When a Boil Water Advisory is Issued?" As a precautionary measure, the chief medical officer of health for Manitoba advises that all people using water from wells or other sources that may have been affected by flooding should boil their water before using it or find alternative supplies of drinking water until flooding subsides and appropriate tests are satisfactory. 3 pages.  (March 2001) français
	Fact Sheet #4: "How Do I Disinfect My Well?" While Manitoba has an abundance of good quality water, private wells can become contaminated with bacteria.  The risk for contamination is increased by several factors.  This fact sheet provides step-by-step instructions for disinfecting your well.  3 pages.  (March 2001) français
	Fact Sheet #5: "Guidelines For Food Establishments During a Boil Water Advisory" Food establishments can continue to operate during the boil water advisory, as long as the measures outlined in this fact sheet are strictly adhered to. 2 pages. (March 2001) français
Fact Sheet #6: "What Water Treatment Devices Are Available?" Water treatment devices for drinking water can be divided into two groups, according to function - point-of-use and point-of-entry devices.  2 pages. (March 2001)