Before Submitting Your Sample

To ensure your drinking water sample can be tested by the laboratory, please review the following requirements before submitting your sample.

Your sample must be:

• Collected from a location within Ontario.
• Drinking water intended for human consumption.
• Collected from a single household, not from a municipal drinking water system or commercially bottled water.
• Submitted with a fully completed lab requisition form. Laboratories cannot contact you to request missing information, and incomplete forms may result in your sample being rejected.
• Collected in the bottle supplied with the kit.
• Collected and stored cold (below 25°C). Keep the sample refrigerated until submission and transport it in a cooler with an ice pack. Do not collect water from the hot water tap.
• Aesthetically acceptable. The water must be clear and colourless, with no noticeable odour, sediment, or debris.
• Received without damage to the lid or bottle.
• Received at the lab within 48 hours of collection.
• Filled to the indicated fill-line on the bottle.

Important: If any of the above requirements are not met, the laboratory may be unable to test your sample and you may be required to collect and submit a new one.

Water Testing Steps

RCDHU provides water sample kits to the public, accepts completed samples, and delivers samples to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory for testing.

Step 1: Pick Up a Water Testing Kit

• Free water sample kits (bottles) are available at:
  • Renfrew County and District Health Unit: 141 Lake St., Pembroke
  • Other designated locations across Renfrew County (see list below)
  • Some municipal offices (check with your local township)

Step 2: Take Your Water Sample

Instructions are included with your kit— please follow instructions carefully.

• Take your sample as close as possible to when you drop it off.
• If you can’t drop your sample off right away, keep it cold (in the fridge or a cooler)
• Important: Samples must be received at the PHO lab within 48 hours of when the sample was collected.

Step 3: Submit Your Information

There are two ways to submit your information:

• Online (preferred): Use the Online Testing Portal to submit your sample details and contact information online.

• Paper Forms: Fill out all required information on the included form. (Please note, this method takes longer than using the online portal.)

     ** Remember to keep a barcode from the water collection bottle and the last name you entered; you’ll need them to access your test results.

Step 4: Drop Off Your Sample

• RCDHU will accept your sample and send it to Public Health Ontario for testing. Bring your sample to one of the locations listed below (See Sample Kit Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations section below).

Step 5: Get Your Results

Using the Online Water Testing Portal:

If you submitted your information using the Online Water Testing Portal:

• After submitting your sample and completing the electronic form, your report will be available online within 2 to 4 business days.
• To view your report, visit the Online Water Testing Portal and enter:
  • The barcode from your collection bottle
  • The last name used on your submission
• Your report can be viewed, downloaded or printed directly from the portal.

Using a Paper Form:

If you submitted your information using a paper form:

• Your test results will be mailed to you from the lab in Ottawa, within 7-10 days. (Please note: this method takes longer than using the online portal.)
• If requested, you may pick up the lab report at the testing laboratory:
  • Location: 2380 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa
  • Hours: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Photo ID is required
• To request an electronic copy, please contact PHO’s Laboratory Customer Service Centre.
• You can also access the results over the phone by calling the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) at 1-877-723-3426 (TTY call 711). Have your barcode and submitter information ready for this option.

Sample Kit Locations

Water testing kits can be picked up and dropped off at the locations listed below.

Note: Schedules may change around long weekends and statutory holidays. Please check with RCDHU for possible changes to the schedules below.

Arnprior – McNab/Braeside Municipal Office:

Location: 2473 Russett Drive
Phone: 613-623-5756

Drop-off Times:

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday – 8:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday: 8:00 a.m.– 6:30 p.m.
• Friday before 10:30 a.m.

Courier picks up samples Tuesday to Friday at 10:30 a.m.

Barry’s Bay – Lorraine’s Pharmasave:

Location: 19566 Opeongo Line, Barry’s Bay ON
Phone: (613) 756-2013

Hours of operation: Check with Lorraine’s Pharmasave

Drop-off Times:

• September to April: Tuesdays before 2:00 p.m.  Courier picks up samples Tuesday after 2:00 p.m.
• May to August: Tuesdays and Thursdays before 2:00 p.m. Courier picks up samples Tuesday and Thursday after 2:00 p.m.

Deep River Area – Laurentian Hills Municipal Office:

Location: 34465 Highway 17, Point Alexander
Phone: 613-584-3114

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Drop-off Times:

• September to April: Tuesday only during regular office hours. Courier picks up samples on Wednesdays at 8:00 a.m.
• May to August: Monday and Wednesday only during regular office hours. Courier pick up samples on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:00 a.m.

Pembroke – RCDHU Office:

Location: 141 Lake Street, Pembroke
Phone: 613-732-3629 Ext. 505

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Drop-off Times:

• Monday to Thursday during regular office hours, and;
• Friday before 8:45 a.m.

Courier picks up samples Tuesday – Friday at 8:45 a.m.

Renfrew – Town Hall building:

Location: 127 Raglan Street South, Renfrew

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Drop-off Times:

• Monday to Thursday during regular office hours, and;
• Friday before 10:00 a.m.

Courier picks up samples Tuesday – Friday at 10:00 a.m.

Test Often

Well water quality can change frequently. The best way to protect your drinking water is to test often.

Higher-Risk Events

It is very important to test drinking water from a well following higher-risk events, such as:

• spring thaw
• heavy rainfall
• flooding
• well maintenance
• changes in the water’s taste, odour, or appearance

Important: Do not rely on a single test. We recommend taking 3 samples (1 to 3 weeks apart) to confirm your drinking water is safe to drink.

• Well Water Testing (Private Drinking Water) – Public Health Ontario
• Simple Steps instructional video (English)
• Étapes simples pour des résultats rapides en ligne (French)