Q. Is my water safe to drink?

Government regulations require that all public and semi-public drinking water supplies be tested for numerous parameters on a frequent basis. Private water supplies (wells and dugouts) are not subject to such regulations. There is no guarantee that any untreated water is safe for human consumption. It is the responsibility of the owner/users to have their water supplies tested.

Q. Where can I get my water tested?

The Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory performs a wide range of bacteriological and chemical tests on drinking water supplies. Submit samples to:

Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory
3211 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4S 5W6

If you have specific questions regarding water testing, please call (306) 787-7138.

Q. Where can I obtain a sample bottle to have my water tested?

To have your drinking water tested for total coliform bacteria and nitrate you must use a special, sterilized container. The Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory distributes sample bottles to RM offices and public health offices throughout the province. If you wish to have your water tested for other parameters, see the SaskH2O web site link below.  To ensure your testing results are correct and to prevent sample contamination, it is important to follow proper procedures for collection of water samples to prevent sample contamination. Detailed sampling procedures are printed on the back of requisition forms. Read the instructions before sample collection.

Q. How do I submit my water samples to the lab?

To ensure accurate test results, it is important to follow instructions for submitting water samples. Detailed sample submission instructions are printed on the back of requisition forms. Read the instructions before sample submission.

Please note: Samples MUST be submitted in insulated coolers with ice packs to ensure samples are cool but not frozen during overnight transportation. When a sample is dropped off at the lab within 6 hours of collection, a cooler is not required. Cooler and coolants are returned to submitter as soon as possible, and the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory is responsible for the cost of returning. Use “flip-top” style label with laboratory address on one side, and the submitter address on the other side. The Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory does NOT supply coolers. However, the Lab does pay for costs of returning coolers.

Q. I was told that my water samples had to arrive at the lab within 48 hours of collection: why?

Scientific studies have shown that the numbers of bacteria in water decreases with the passage of time, especially when the sample temperature is high. Testing your water within 48 hours will greatly reduce the chance of false results.

Q. What tests should I request to confirm that my drinking water is safe?

Private water supplies should be tested annually for total coliform bacteria and nitrate. There are many other tests that may be required depending upon the type and location of the water source. For example, dugouts and shallow wells on farms are susceptible to contamination by pesticides. Some groundwater sources contain elevated levels of arsenic.

Q. What are total coliforms?

Total coliforms are a group of bacteria that are used as the principal indicator for the sanitary quality of water. The presence of any coliform bacteria indicates that the water is unsafe for human consumption.

Q. My water was found to contain coliform bacteria. What can I do to correct this problem?

If your drinking water supply contains coliform bacteria, it must be disinfected prior to consumption. Refer to the SaskH2O website for details (link provided below). Boiling water for several minutes will kill bacteria present in the water. If you require specific information on your water supplies, please contact the public health Inspector in your Regional Health Authority.

Q. What is nitrate and where does it come from? What is the acceptable concentration in drinking water?

Nitrate is a stable, oxidized form of nitrogen. Sources of nitrate in water include agricultural fertilizers, domestic sewage, animal manure, decaying matter and natural geological formations. The Canadian Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality has set 45 mg/L as the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC), based primarily on a condition known as "infantile methemoglobinemia". Specifically, nitrate reduces the ability of blood to transport oxygen to body tissues, resulting in cyanosis or "blue baby syndrome." In extreme cases, this condition has been reported to be fatal.

Q. My water contains high levels of nitrate. How can I remove nitrate from my drinking water?

Nitrate can be removed from water by distillation or reverse osmosis filtration. Some ion-exchange filters have been found to successfully remove significant quantities of nitrate. Boiling water will NOT decrease the nitrate concentration in the water. Blending water that has high nitrate levels with water that has lower concentrations is also a common practice to reduce nitrate in drinking water.

Q. My drinking water has been found to be acceptable based on tests for total coliform bacteria and nitrate. Is this water safe to drink?

These two tests indicate that the water is safe ONLY with respect to contamination by coliform bacteria and nitrate. It does not indicate anything else regarding the quality or safety of the water supply. For example, water that is found to be acceptable for bacteria and nitrate may contain pesticides or arsenic. It is impractical and expensive to test all private water supplies for all possible contaminants. If a problem is suspected or you have a concern regarding the safety of the water supply, further specific types of testing can be requested. Contact the public health inspector in your Regional Health Authority for specific advice.

Q. I am concerned about the quality of my drinking water. What home water treatment devices should be used?

There are many different water treatment devices available. The type that should be used depends upon several factors including the quality of the water source and what you want to remove from the water. Contact the public health inspector at your Regional Health Authority for specific advice.

Q. How much does it cost to have my water tested? Where do I send the money?

The cost varies depending upon the type and number of tests being performed. For example, a drinking water package (Nitrate plus total coliform and E. coli Bacteria) costs $26.50 (6% GST included). Service charges for other tests may be found at the Water Testing Service Charges link provided below or on the SaskH2O web site (link also located below). Please make cheque or money order payable to the Minister of Finance and submit with sample to the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory.