Recent results from over 3,000 well water test kits in Newfoundland show that 1,000 samples have potential contaminants. 

“They found a variety of different things like lead, uranium, cadmium, manganese, things that naturally occur but it’s nice for people in their homes to know what adjustments may be required,” Environment and Climate Change Minister Bernard Davis says. “The goal of this project is to help lower health risks related to consuming groundwater with naturally occurring contaminants.”

Davis says it’s important that people know the quality of their drinking water. More than 2,000 free well water chemistry test kits are still available to private well owners throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.  These kits can be picked up at any Digital NL Services office and returned after the tests have been done.

Davis says this pilot was launched last December to collect baseline groundwater data in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“We didn’t know to be quite honest. These wells are on private property put there by someone else,” he says. “I think this free service offered by government is important for well owners and us as we look at what baseline studies exist in particular regions of the province.” 

If lab reports from any form of water testing indicate exceedances in health, the government recommends that members of the public stop drinking the well water and re-test.  

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