Rural Wells Under Pressure

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

‘What Is More Important Than Quality Drinking Water?’

By Mary Loggan

Rural Ontario is dotted with nearly 500,000 private wells, providing the primary drinking water for about 1.3 million people. Unlike municipal water systems, these wells are not provincially regulated, leaving farmers and landowners solely responsible for testing and maintaining their water quality.

Recent findings from the Ontario Auditor General reveal a worrying trend: Fewer than 30 per cent of private well-owners had their water tested in the past year. This lack of oversight increases the risk of exposure to harmful contaminants.

Many rural residents assume their well water is safe if it looks clear and tastes fine. However, invisible threats like bacteria and nitrates can be detected only through regular testing.

Better Farming spoke recently with Tina Schankula, OFA policy analyst, and OFA director Mark Reusser to better understand the issue and its implications for producers.

Issues

According to the Auditor General’s report, titled Safety of Non-Municipal Drinking Water, studies consistently show that 30 to 50 per cent of private wells in Ontario fail to meet drinking water standards for at least one contaminant. The most common problems include:

Bacterial Contamination: Up to 44 per cent of wells have tested positive for bacteria such as E. coli and total coliforms, often stemming from farm runoff, leaking septic systems, or animal waste. These bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, diarrhea, and, in severe cases, life-threatening infections.

Nitrate Pollution: Between 10 and 20 per cent of wells exceed safe nitrate limits, primarily due to agricultural fertilizers and septic systems. High nitrate levels are particularly dangerous for infants, causing methemoglobinemia, or ‘blue baby syndrome,’ and may contribute to long-term health problems in adults.

Other Pollutants: Pesticides and heavy metals, though less common, have been found in some wells.

These health consequences are significant, according to the report. Private well users experience more waterborne illnesses than those on municipal systems, with acute effects like stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Chronic exposure to nitrates and other chemicals can lead to developmental issues in children, reproductive problems, and even certain cancers. The financial impact is also notable, with increased hospital visits and lost workdays for affected families.

The report also notes that the major challenge is that many contaminants are tasteless, odourless, and invisible, meaning well-owners may not realize their water is unsafe without regular testing.

According to Schankula, this is due to the lack of awareness about testing services, while the risks of untested water are also a critical barrier.

“It’s often a lack of awareness or knowledge about the recommendations to test private well water quality, and then where to go to have their water tested.

“Without testing, private well-owners wouldn’t know what kind of treatment, if any, is required. There is a great variety of treatment system options available at a wide range of costs, and these systems address different water-quality issues, so knowing what type of system to install depends on test results.”

Reusser agrees, stressing the fundamental importance of safe water. “All anyone wants to do is protect their family, friends and livestock.

“People living in the city don’t have to worry or pay for it to be tested – it’s a basic right that should not have to come at any cost to rural residents relying on well water.”

Reusser notes that many farmers and rural residents discover contamination only after testing, which then prompts changes in agricultural practices and water management.

As a former turkey producer, Reusser knows firsthand the importance of regular testing: “I tested my water regularly – it is a requirement for those in the poultry industry.

“I was audited annually by Turkey Farmers of Ontario to ensure that my well water had been tested by public health and was of good quality. This is a requirement for many livestock operations. I tested one to two times a year and could take as many samples as I wanted to my Public Health Unit (PHU).

“It is a very good program, with fast results.”

Reusser points out, however, that while a basic well water test for bacteria is provided at no cost, further testing for nitrates and other contaminants can come at a significant cost to the well owner.

“The consequence is that it becomes a deterrent to further testing and should be offered at no cost to those that live in rural Ontario.

“What is more important than having safe, high-quality drinking water?”

He also highlights the importance of water quality for livestock: “Research tells us that when you don’t have good quality water, you compromise animal health, which in turn will impact your bottom line as a farmer.

“It’s also important to consider both water quantity and quality. People and livestock depend on it.”

Solutions

To address these challenges, Schankula advocates for greater outreach to inform private well-owners about water quality testing recommendations – how often to test, how to interpret results, and where to get water tested.

She says public health officials strongly recommend testing well water at least twice a year – ideally in the spring and fall, and after heavy rainfall events. Keeping records of test results can help track changes that might signal new contamination.

The report from the Ontario Auditor General also suggested several key practices to consider:

• Ensuring wells are properly sealed and located away from potential contamination sources such as septic systems, manure storage, and fertilizer application zones;
• Regular inspection and maintenance of septic systems to prevent leaks that introduce bacteria and nitrates into groundwater;
• Limiting fertilizer and pesticide use near wells and managing manure responsibly to reduce the risk of chemicals leaching into water supplies;
• Education and outreach by health units, municipalities, and agricultural organizations are critical to raise awareness about the importance of testing and safe well stewardship.

Schankula notes, “Some options, like the Environmental Farm Plan, have a worksheet on water wells. There is also a 2003 Best Management Practices (BMP) booklet on water wells.

“Currently, a multi-disciplinary team of researchers with the Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute at the University of Guelph, in collaboration with rural community-based organizations, including OFA, is updating this BMP booklet.”

Reusser highlights the broader implications of monitoring water quality. “Measuring and documenting water quality in rural Ontario is important to health. If they do it in the city, they can do it in rural areas.”

He also emphasizes the shared nature of water resources: “Water in rural areas is a shareable resource; water that is used in urban areas often comes from rural areas. We all have a vested interest in maintaining good water quality.”

Looking at the future

“The ideal outcome is increased outreach and extension to farmers and rural residents of voluntary best practices to test their private water wells and perform visual inspections of their wells,” Schankula says.

“Bacteriological testing through the PHU needs to remain free of charge. Information regarding testing for other water quality parameters through Ontario’s licensed laboratories needs to be more readily available.

“I believe the local PHU do have staff that can assist well-owners with understanding local water-related conditions, what parameters they may wish to test, and assist with understanding the water test results.

“However, not enough people know that they can reach out to their local PHU for help with this.”

She also calls for increased funding for well upgrades and remediation in high-risk areas, as well as enhanced data collection to identify contamination hotspots.

“Cost-share programs for water testing, well upgrades, well decommissioning, and septic systems inspection, upgrades, and replacement are required.

“In the meantime, farmers and rural residents should be reaching out to their local PHU to discuss water testing, understanding that tests beyond the free bacteriological tests will come with some cost.”

She advises those who have their private wells tested to encourage their neighbours and families to get their well water tested too.

Reusser adds, “Safe drinking water is a fundamental right for all residents, including those in rural areas relying on private wells.

“With groundwater remaining a vital resource for rural Ontario, ensuring its safety is both a public health and an economic imperative. By combining regular testing, preventative measures, and robust public education, Ontario can move toward a future where every rural resident can trust the water from their tap.”

He says maintaining quality well water in Ontario is solvable. “Empowering people with knowledge and tools to protect their water, combined with coordinated community and government action, can secure safe drinking water for all rural Ontarians.”

Reusser also notes the importance of shared responsibility and continuous improvement: “We need more research on ways we must do better; the water that flows past us could be used further down the line.

“The cost should be shared by everyone because it benefits everyone – not just rural residents and producers.

“Water quality is everyone’s responsibility.

“We are lucky in Ontario to have water, and it is our job to ensure both quality and quantity. It is something to be treasured and protected, now and in the future.” BF