Saskatchewan Health is extending a program that offers free water testing to rural residents whose wells have been affected by flooding.
Tim Macaulay, director of environmental health with the provincial health department, said flooding in many areas of the province has the potential to contaminate well water with bacteria, nitrates and other materials.
The department will offer free well testing until the middle of August, but only residents in flood-affected areas qualify for the service.
“We have concerns with respect to the impact on wells that are being used … by private residents in the province,” said Macaulay.
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“We’re monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis as to what the demand is and we’ve now extended the program … to Aug. 16.”
Eligible samples will be tested at the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory in Regina and analyzed for E. coli, total coliforms and nitrates.
Residents who believe their wells have been affected by flooding should contact their local health region to determine if they qualify.
The tests, known as standard bacteriological tests, normally cost about $26.
