How do I collect a water sample for the bacteriological test?

First of all, you will have to come into our offices to get a sterile bottle. You can drop by any time. Bottles are always available in a box located outside next to our front door.

Important notice : Do not open the sample bottle until you have reached step 8 of the sampling process. The bottle contains droplets, fine dust or a pill. This is normal; you should not rinse out the bottle or remove the pill.

The sample will be good for a period of 24 hours. Please note that you will not be able to bring in your sample on Fridays after 11:30 a.m., as our laboratories are closed during the weekend.

Here are the steps to follow to collect your water sample for your bacteriological analysis :

1. Keep the sample bottle clean and do not write on it.
2. Unscrew the screen at the end of a tap.
3. Fill a glass with bleach and dip the end of the tap down to the bottom of the glass. Let it sit for 1 minute to disinfect the inside and outside of the faucet of any bacteria. Then discard the bleach and rinse the glass.
4. Run the tap water at full flow for 4 to 5 minutes.
   
5. While the water is running, with the same glass, rinse the outside of the faucet with water about 6-8 times.
6. Decrease the flow until you get a stream of water the thickness of a Bic pen.
7. Take the closed sample bottle and bring it up to the water stream.
8. Unscrew the lid of the bottle while holding the cap in one hand and the bottle in the other. Fill up to the line while holding your breath. Then close the bottle tightly.
9. Bring the sample bottle to us within at most 24 hours of collection. If the sample has to be left overnight before being brought to our offices, keep the bottle refrigerated.

Reminder : Please do not bring over your sample on Fridays after 11:30 a.m.

We are open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

You will be charged a $75 fee (including taxes) when you return the sample bottle to our offices. Once the analysis is completed, we will email you the results in PDF format.

If your results need to be communicated to a bank or notary, we can also send them by email or fax. Just be sure to provide us with the relevant contact information when you turn in your sample to us.

My bacteriological analysis results are good.

Congratulations! Your water is considered to be in compliance with drinking water regulations! Don’t forget that the maintenance of your well includes sterilization every two years. An annual water analysis is also recommended.

My bacteriological analysis results aren’t good.

If your first bacteriological analysis is not compliant, you will have to sterilize your well and complete a new bacteriological analysis. You must wait 4 to 10 days after the chlorine odor has dissipated before taking a new sample.

If your second analysis is also non-compliant despite the sterilization of your well, it means that the water feeding your well is permanently carrying bacteria. At this point, you will have to install an ultraviolet water sterilizer to make your water drinkable. You will also have to proceed to a physico-chemical analysis of your water so as not to affect the proper functioning of the ultraviolet sterilizer. This will allow us to know if you need a pre-treatment before the ultraviolet sterilizer. The addition of an appropriate filter or softener may be necessary.

How do I collect a water sample for the physico-chemical analysis?

To collect your water sample for your physico-chemical analysis, use a spring water-type bottle with a minimum volume of 500 ml (up to 1.5 litre). Usually, the murkier the water is, the bigger the sampling bottle should be.

If your home does not have a water treatment system or filters, follow these instructions :

1. Unscrew the screen at the end of a faucet.
2. Run cold water for 6 minutes at full flow.
3. Rinse your sample bottle 2 to 3 times, including the cap.
4. Fill the bottle to the top to avoid getting any air inside.

If your home has a water treatment system or filters, follow these instructions :

1. Switch the water treatment systems and filters to the bypass position.
2. Unscrew the screen at the end of a faucet.
3. Run cold water for 6 minutes at full flow.
4. Rinse your sample bottle 2 to 3 times, including the cap.
5. Fill the bottle to the top to avoid getting any air inside.

If the house has a water treatment system and filters, but you cannot put them on bypass mode, follow these instructions :

1. If you have a well, find out where the house water inlet and pressure tank are located. Often they are blue, gray or beige in colour.
2. Locate the hose-style faucet on the T-shaped pipe at the bottom of the pressure tank.
3. Screw a garden hose onto this faucet.
4. Pour the water flowing through the hose, either through the sump pump, the floor drain, the window or into a large container.
5. Run the water for 6 minutes at full flow.
6. Rinse your sample bottle 2 to 3 times, including the cap.
7. Fill the bottle to the top to avoid getting any air inside.
8. Turn off the hose.

If your house receives city water with a simple filter that you cannot put in bypass mode, follow these instructions :

1. Turn off the house’s main water inlet valve.
2. Turn off the hot water tank valve.
3. Turn on a cold water faucet and let the water run. This will relieve the pressure in the pipes.
4. Press the button above your filter. This will relieve the pressure in the filter compartment.
5. Take a container and place it under the filter.
6. Grab the handle to unscrew your filter and unscrew the casing.
7. Remove the filter.
8. Put the casing back on and tighten it without forcing too much.
9. Turn on the hot water tank valve and the main water inlet valve, then turn off the faucet that was left running.
10. Unscrew the screen at the end of a faucet.
11. Run the water for 6 minutes at full flow.
12. Rinse your sample bottle 2 to 3 times, as well as the cap.
13. Fill the bottle to the top to avoid getting any air inside.