Thank you to all of the sponsors that help to make the Well Aware Program possible!

As a private well owner, it is your job to be well aware – to understand the basics of well maintenance and operation, and to take the necessary actions to keep your water wells in safe running order.

A Well Aware home visit will provide you with recommendations about your well so you can protect your family’s drinking water source.

The Muskoka Heritage Foundation is a delivery agent for the Well Aware program of Green Communities Canada.  Well Aware relies on financial support from the Ontario Ministry of Environment. MHF has secured additional funding from the RBC Blue Water Project Community Action Grant.

Have a Well Visit

A home visit from our trained Well Aware advisor will help you identify potential risks to your well and will give you the necessary knowledge to properly maintain the water quality of your well. The visit, which is voluntary, confidential, and non-regulatory, guides you through a self-assessment to help identify and address potential risks to your well water.

You Will Receive

• information on how best to protect your water
• recommendations about your well, at your well
• a written report containing information and recommendations about your well
• local resources that specifically address your needs
• ability to talk about your well with an independent, trained guide

 To book your Well Aware home visit contact Muskoka Heritage Foundation. 705-645-7393 ext. 207 or stewardship@muskokaheritage.org

 Get a Report 

From the self-assessment, our Well Aware advisor will generate a report that will be mailed to you. It is one of the goals of the program that you then use this report to monitor your well on an annual basis.

Test Your Water 

Even though your water may appear to be fine, there are many possible contaminants that that you cannot taste, see or smell. Drinking contaminated well water can make you and your family members ill. It can even be fatal. Bacterial contamination may cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting or other problems. Chemical contamination is equally dangerous. The effects can vary.

 Test for Indicators of Bacterial Contamination 

It is recommended that you test your well water regularly for the indicator bacteria total coliforms and E. coli. If present, it is an indication that the water may contain harmful microorganisms that can make you sick. The Ontario Ministry of the Environment and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care recommends testing at least three times a year for bacteria.

When to Test 

Early spring is a good time to test your well water for bacteria. Another good time is the day after a heavy rainfall. Melting snow and running water can carry surface contaminants into your well water. If your well water is safe under these conditions, it is most likely to be safe the rest of the year.

Test your water even if your water seems fine, because you cannot always taste, smell or see bacteria or other contaminants. Do not rely on your neighbour’s test results – wells that are only a few steps apart may have different water quality.

The Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit recommends that all well owners test their water three times per year: spring, summer, and fall.  The test is free through our local health units.

Water Sample Bottles 

Water sample bottles are available at any Health Unit. In Muskoka, we have the Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit offices in Huntsville and Gravenhurst. For hours and sample drop-off times, visit http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Topics/SafeWater/drinkingwater/
watertesting/sampledropoff.aspx

Huntsville:                                                                      
34 Chaffey St.  P1H 1K1
(705) 721-7520

Gravenhurst:
5 Pineridge Gate  P1P 1Z3
(705) 684-9090

For more information on how to take a proper water sample: http://wellaware.ca/pages/TestYourWater.php

Visit http://www.wellaware.ca/ for more information about the Well Aware program and to access helpful resources.