Private well water

Information to which you should pay special attentionDo not drink warm tap water and do not use it to prepare your baby’s bottles or for cooking as it may contain more lead, contaminants, and bacteria than cold water.

You can use water from a private well (surface or artesian well) as long as recent tests show that it meets quality standards. If it is a new well, the water should be tested for chemicals and bacteria by a lab accredited by Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques. If you own a private well, it is recommended that you have your well water tested at least twice a year.

For the names of accredited labs in your area, visit www.ceaeq.gouv.qc.ca/accreditation/PALA/lla03.htm (in French only).

Tests can detect undesirable elements in your water (e.g., chemicals or microbial contaminants and bacteria such as E. coli).

In general, when concentrations of chemical substances in drinking water exceed allowable levels, you must use another source of drinking water, like bottled water. When a microbial contaminant is found in the water, you usually need to either boil and cool it before consumption or use another source of water.

For more information, visit www.environnement.gouv.qc.ca/eau/potable/depliant/index-en.htm.

If you have doubts about the quality of well water in your area, you can contact

  • A local well digger
  • Your municipality

For more information, contact

  • The Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques branch responsible for your region
  • Your local public health department
  • A lab in your area accredited by Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques.

You can also visit www.quebec.ca/en/environment-andnatural-resources/drinking-water/contaminants-indrinking-water-wells.