News Release                          For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                September 26, 2007

Test Your Water DVD Release

Test Your Water, a new DVD from the Grey Bruce Health Unit, demonstrates the proper procedure to collect a sample for testing private water sources. Forty thousand residents in Grey Bruce get their water from a private source; that is any source other than a municipal water system. That number can double in the busy summer tourist season. Anyone using surface water, springs or groundwater (wells) as a source for potable water will benefit from the information contained in this video.

“Water testing should be routine practice for anyone getting their water from a private source.” says Safe Water manager Lou D’Alessandro. “Improper procedure for taking a sample can compromise testing, resulting in additional costs and possible heath risks.”

Public Health recommends that private source water be tested at least three times during the year. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care through the Provincial Laboratory Branch provide free bacteriological testing. Testing is for Total Coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, which if identified in the sample means that disease-causing organisms may possibly be present. The Grey Bruce Health Unit processes about 25 thousand private water samples annually. 

Produced by Richard Thomas Communications of Owen Sound, the five minute Test Your Water DVD will be distributed to municipalities across Grey Bruce, all Health Units in the province, Ministry of Environment and special interest groups. The video is available for viewing on a touch screen in the lobby of the Health Unit main office when clients pick up water sample bottles and on the Public Health website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca. Individual DVDs are available for purchase.

-30-

For more information:
Drew Ferguson
Public/Media Relations Coordinator
Grey Bruce Health Unit
519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 269