With the recent heavy rain and localized flooding, residents on private drinking water systems are being urged to test their drinking water.
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit says significant weather events, such as flooding and heavy rain can overwhelm natural soil filtration and introduce harmful bacteria, which can cause serious gastrointestinal illness, into drinking water supplies.
They say contamination can occur without any changes in taste, colour, or odour, making testing the only reliable way to confirm water safety.
The Health Unit provides free drinking water testing for bacteria in private drinking water systems.
Free water sample bottles can be picked up and dropped off in Burk’s Falls, Parry Sound, North Bay or Sturgeon Falls.
Times and locations are listed on the Health Unit’s website at myhealtunit.ca.
