Minister of Environment Chester Gillan has announced changes in water testing services that will make it more convenient for Islanders throughout the province to get their water tested.
Currently, water samples are picked up at most Access PEI centres once a week. Water samples must be fresh so that means homeowners must take the sample the morning they drop it off. With improvements effective June 9, service has been extended to more sites, and the total number of pickups has increased from nine to 34, giving Islanders much more flexibility in when they sample their water.
"As part of the Drinking Water Strategy, we have been encouraging Islanders to get their water tested at least once a year to ensure the safety of their water supply. These changes in service will make that easier for all Islanders, no matter where they live," said Minister Gillan.
Three new sites have been added to the sample collection schedule - the Access PEI centres in Stratford and Riverside Drive in Charlottetown, as well as the Cavendish Visitor Information Centre. The latter will be active Mondays through Thursdays, from June 9 to September 26. Water samples will be picked up daily at Access PEI O'Leary, Summerside, Charlottetown and Stratford. In Kings County, the extended service will see samples collected Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Montague; and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at Souris. In addition, samples will continue to be picked up Tuesdays at Access centres in Tignish, Alberton and Wellington and Wednesdays at Access PEI Morell. All samples must be dropped off prior to 10 a.m. the day of collection.
Approximately 57 per cent of Islanders rely on their own well for their water supply. Minister Gillan said having their water tested on a regular basis is a part of household maintenance for these Islanders.
"While the natural groundwater quality in Prince Edward Island is very good, we do sometimes encounter problems in tapping the resource. Water testing helps identify exactly where the problems are so that they can be fixed," he added.
For further information on water testing, Islanders can call the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment, Water Management Division, at 368-5044 or toll free 1-866-368-5044.