Drinking Water
Antimony occurs naturally in small amounts in several minerals in the earth’s crust, is used in various manufacturing processes, and is present in plumbing solder. It can enter drinking water as a result of the weathering of rocks and soils, from...
Who requires a pumper’s license?
Any person/business that undertakes the cleaning of a sewage disposal system or the disposal of septage or biosolids.
What is septage?
Septage is material removed from a septic tank. Septic tanks should be cleaned as...
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that is widely distributed throughout the Earth’s rocks and soils. Arsenic can be dissolved from arsenic bearing minerals in the soil or rock and be present in groundwater. On a more local basis, arsenic can also...
Bacterial contamination is the most common water quality problem faced by private well owners. There are many different types of bacteria. The laboratory tests for only two types of “indicator” organisms; total coliform bacteria and E. coli. The results...
Barium is a naturally occurring element that is found in small quantities in a variety of minerals. Varying amounts of barium can be dissolved as water passes through rocks and soils and be present in groundwater. Barium may also be present in the air as...
Chloride is a naturally occurring element that is common in most natural waters and is most often found as a component of salt (sodium chloride) or in some cases in combination with potassium or calcium. The presence of chloride in groundwater can result...
Hardness is commonly referred to as the ability of your water to neutralize soap, or the inability of the water to form soap lather. Hard water is caused by high concentrations of calcium and manganese in the water, and can cause scale to form on hot...
Chemical disinfection or chlorination of a water supply is suggested when a well has been found to be contaminated by bacteria. New wells and repaired wells, and any associated plumbing, should be disinfected before being put into service. The routine...
Bacterial contamination is the most common water quality problem faced by private well owners. This information sheet will lead you through the step-by-step procedure to deal with cases of bacterial contamination of private wells.
Step 1: Results of...
Iron is a naturally occurring element that is common in PEI rocks and soils. Iron can occur in well water for two reasons; it may be present in fine sediment particles, or it may be present in dissolved form in the water. A reddish-brown colour to the...
Lead is a naturally occurring element that is present in some minerals in rocks and soils, but the main source of lead in drinking water is generally through contact with plumbing components containing lead. The amount of lead dissolved into drinking...
Manganese occurs naturally in PEI rocks and soils. Usually it is not easily dissolved from these sources and its concentration in well water is low. In some cases, particularly in swampy areas where oxygen levels in groundwater are low, manganese is more...
Nitrate is a naturally occurring form of nitrogen that is commonly found throughout the environment. It is present at low levels in most groundwaters, but can be present significantly higher levels in areas with extensive use of fertilizers, storage and...
PEI Analytical Laboratories is currently operating on Winter hours, Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
The Plant Diagnostic section is now open for the 2023 season. Samples may be dropped off directly to the lab, or at PEI Access sites...
Selenium is a naturally occurring element that is widely distributed throughout the Earth’s rocks and soils and is found in trace quantities in most plant and animal tissues. Selenium can be dissolved by weathering of minerals in the soil or rock or...
Sodium is a naturally occurring element that is widely distributed throughout the Earth’s rocks and soils, most often found in combination with chloride in the form of salt (sodium chloride). The presence of sodium in groundwater can result from a number...
Do I need to have my drinking water tested?
It is generally recommended that homeowners using drinking water from their own well should get their water tested for bacteria at least once a year and should have a chemical analysis of their well water done...
Uranium is a naturally occurring element that is widely distributed throughout the Earth’s rocks and soils. Uranium can be dissolved from minerals in the soil or rock and be present in groundwater. The concentration of uranium in water is typically very...
Sample bottles for chemistry and bacterial analysis and the required forms are available at Access PEI sites or at the PEI Analytical Laboratories, 23 Innovation Way, Charlottetown.
There are two analysis bottles available:
Bacteria analysis uses a...
Licensed Well Contractors are required to submit all well logs of newly drilled wells to the provincial government. In order to submit logs, the drilling contractor must sign-in (below) and enter all information into the online webform. This service is...
When do I need a Well Contractor’s or a Well Driller's License?
Any person who undertakes in the drilling, construction or reconstruction of a water or geothermal well, needs a Well Driller's License. Holders of a Well Driller’s License must be...
Do I need a permit to drill a well?
Depending upon the capacity, depth and the location of the well, a permit to drill a well may be required.
A Well Permit is required if the well(s) are to be:
located in one of the water well restricted areas (map...