Well Owners

You must maintain your well to protect both the well water and groundwater from contamination. This includes:

taking the actions necessary to prevent outside materials (including surface water) from entering your well
knowing when to abandon your well (generally when it is no longer being used, and is not being maintained for future use)

If issues with your well arise that you cannot resolve (or choose not to resolve), then you must abandon the well immediately. Such issues include a well that:

produces mineralized water
produces water that is not potable
contains natural gas or other gas
permits any movement of natural gas, contaminants or other materials
is not constructed according to Ontario’s Wells Regulation requirements

When a well is abandoned, it must be properly plugged and sealed, as set out in Ontario’s Wells Regulation (Regulation 903).

Drinking water systems

If your well supplies water to multiple residences, a common space, or a local business, you may be required to meet requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act, or under the Health Protection and Promotion Act (in addition to requirements under the Wells Regulation and the Ontario Water Resources Act).

To find out if these additional legal requirements apply to your well, visit Drinking Water Ontario or contact the Ministry of the Environment at 1-866-793-2588 during regular business hours.

Use a licensed well contractor

Most well owners don’t have the equipment, materials, or expertise needed to comply with legal requirements. For this reason, you should hire a licensed well contractor when building, repairing, modifying or abandoning your well.

To find a licensed contractor in your area, you can consult the Directory of Licensed Well Contractors in Ontario at www.waterwellontario.ca.

Licensed contractors are required to use licensed well technicians, of the proper class, to conduct or supervise any work being done on your well. Ask to see your contractor’s and technician’s licences, before they begin work on your well.

Get your Well Owners Information Package

When your well is constructed or repaired, or when a pump is installed, the person you hire to do the work is required to give you a Well Owners Information Package. This package includes basic information about:

well construction, maintenance and abandonment
taking a water sample for bacteria testing
managing your well in times of water shortage
protecting water quality

You can request a copy of the Well Owners Information Package from the Wells Help Desk at 1-888-396-WELL (9355) or wellshelpdesk@ontario.ca.

Test your water

You should test your well water at least three times a year. The quality of your well water can change, and changes often aren’t apparent in the taste, smell, or look of your water.
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