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.
Learn More:
- Fact Sheet: Water Safety - Putting Your Well Water to the Test (Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care)
- List of laboratories licensed to perform drinking water testing in Ontario
- Video: Test Your Water © Grey Bruce Health Unit, (2007) Reproduced with permission
Make use of available resources
- Manual: Water Supply Wells - Requirements and Best Management Practices
- Video: Well Aware – A Well Owner’s Video
Visit the Resources section for additional resources.
This webpage is for information only. Please go to regulation 903 for the details of the legal requirements.