Well
It is necessary to submit an application for a permit to build a new water intake structure or to replace an existing one. Visit our Permits and Certificates page for more details.
Proper maintenance of your well will minimize water infiltration and contamination. For more information on installations that comply with provincial standards, please refer to section 18 of the Regulation respecting water withdrawal and protection (Q-2, r.35.2) of the Environment Quality Act.
H2O Chelsea Program
Have the quality of your well water tested
H2O Chelsea is a program offered by the Municipality of Chelsea that allows residents to test their well water at competitive prices.
It is recommended to test the quality of your well water once or twice a year. Spring (snowmelt) and fall (heavy rainfall) are the ideal times to do so.
Often the contamination of water by bacteria will not change its taste, odour or colour. Other physico-chemical parameters (e.g. nitrates, uranium, iron, etc.) also have potential effects on health or water use. The only way to be sure of the quality of your water is to have it tested by a certified laboratory.
Informative brochure
Steps to follow
- Selct the type of analysis
- Pick up the bottles at the reception of the Municipality of Chelsea (100, ch. Old Chelsea) during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Sample your water
- Bring your bottles to the reception desk of the Town hall between 7:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on a collection day
- Payment is due upon drop-off of samples
Collection dates H2O - 2023
Click on the image to download the collection calendar.
Type of analysis
|
Parameter |
Standard/Recom. (UFC/100ml) |
Potential health effects |
|
Entero- coccus bacteria |
0 (S) |
Risk of gastroenteritis, hepatitis and meningitis. Bacteria also found in the digestive system of humans and animals. Their presence suggests a contamination by manure or human sewage. |
|
Fecal coliforms (E. coli) |
0 (S) |
Risk of gastroenteritis, hepatitis and meningitis. Bacteria found only in the digestive system of humans and animals. Their presence is usually the result of contamination by manure or human sewage. |
|
Total coliforms |
≤ 10 (S) |
Risk of gastroenteritis. Bacteria present in wastes and sewage, but also found in soil and on vegetation. The presence of these bacteria may indicate that surface water is getting into the well. |
|
Atypical bacteria |
≤ 200 (S) |
Undetermined bacteria that do not likely represent a public health risk; they are found when analyzing samples for total coliforms. |
S : Standard established in the Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water of Quebec's Ministry of Environment (Schedule 1 of chapter Q-2, r.40)
R : Recommendation in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, Health Canada
S. O. : Not applicable (no standard or recommendation)
| Parameter | Standard/Recom. (UFC/100ml) | Potential health effects |
|
Arsenic |
≤ 0,01 (S) |
Toxic and carcinogenic. |
|
Barium |
≤ 1 (S) |
Lack of research. |
|
Chloride |
≤ 250 (R) |
Undesirable taste. |
|
Total Hardness |
≤ 120 (R) |
Clogging of household pipes, incrustations on kitchen utensils and increased soap consumption as the water hardness increases. Calcium contributes to water hardness. |
|
Iron |
≤ 0,3 (R) |
Reddish-brown coloration of water, staining of laundry and plumbing fixtures, undesirable taste of water and deposition of a slimy coating of micro-organisms (iron bacteria). |
|
Fluoride |
≤ 1,5 (S) |
Risk of dental and skeletal fluorosis. |
|
Manganese |
≤ 0,05 (R) |
Formation of coatings in water distribution pipes that may slough off as black precipitates. Undesirable taste of water, staining of laundry and plumbing fixtures, accumulation of microbial growths in the distribution system. |
|
Nitrites - Nitrates |
≤ 10 (S) |
Can cause blue baby syndrome in infants less than 6 months old. |
|
Lead |
≤ 0,005 (S) |
Possibly carcinogenic. |
|
Sodium |
≤ 200 (R) |
Undesirable taste of water. Individuals who are on a sodium reduced diet should consult with their physician. |
|
Sulfates |
≤ 500 (R) |
Undesirable taste of water. Laxative effect. |
|
Uranium |
≤ 0,02 (S) |
May alter kidney function |
S : Standard established in the Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water of Quebec's Ministry of Environment (Schedule 1 of chapter Q-2, r.40)
R : Recommendation in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, Health Canada
S. O. : Not applicable (no standard or recommendation)
|
Parameter |
Standard/Recom. (mg/L) |
Potential effects |
|
Antimony |
≤ 0,006 (S) |
Effects on many organs. |
|
Bore |
≤ 5 (S) |
Public health guideline. |
|
Cadmium |
≤ 0,005 (S) |
Not essential to human metabolism. |
|
Chromium |
≤ 0,05 (S) |
Carcinogenic and inhibitor of enzyme activity. |
|
Copper |
≤ 1,0 (S) |
Essential to human life; bad taste to the water. |
|
Cyanide |
≤ 0,2 (N) |
Highly toxic poison. |
|
Mercury |
≤ 0,001 (S) |
Toxic element not required in humans. |
|
Selenium |
≤ 0,01 (S) |
Essential to humans. |
S : Standard established in the Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water of Quebec's Ministry of Environment (Schedule 1 of chapter Q-2, r.40)
R : Recommendation in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, Health Canada
S. O. : Not applicable (no standard or recommendation)
In addition to Kits 1, 2 and 3, the following tests are available per unit:
- Nitrites-nitrates, $20 taxes incl.
- THM, $55 taxes incl.
- Turbidity, $17 taxes incl.
- Uranium, $25 taxes incl.
Please note
For distribution networks (more than 20 people), please refer to the Règlement sur la qualité de l’eau potable du MELCC.
You can also contact the H2Lab laboratory at 1-877-326-8690 for a checklist detailing the necessary analyses.
Water sampling procedure
- Sampling bottles
- Gloves (to avoid contact with preservatives in the test bottles)
- Bleach solution (for kit 1 only)
1. When? Morning of the drop-off date or night before
Refrigerate samples during the night
2. Write the date, your name, street number, and street name on the label of each bottle
3. Do not rinse the bottles as they contain preservatives. Only open the container at the time of sampling.
4. If you want to know the quality of the water you drink:
- Choose a faucet that you frequently use (ex. Kitchen, washroom).
5. If you want to know the quality of your untreated well water
- Choose a faucet that is not connected to your water treatment unit(s) and that is frequently used.
6. Remove the filter from the end of the faucet. If this is not possible, choose another faucet (photo)
7. For the bacterial test only (kit 1), clean the interior and exterior of the faucet with any type of commercial solution of bleach (which contains approx. 5% sodium hypo-chlorite).
8. Let the cold water run for five minutes.
9. Fill the container up to the collar and make sure not to touch the interior of the bottle with your fingers. Do not let the bottle overflow.
10. Close the bottle, and refrigerate
11. Return your bottle to the Municipality between 7:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
What to do in case of contamination?
For other contaminants (e.g. uranium, fluoride, and other metals), contact a water treatment company wich will be able to recommend possible treatments for your specific water quality problem.
You can also consult the resources below.
Do not drink water before getting satisfactory test results. Do another test one to three weeks after disinfection.
You can easily disinfect your well contaminated with bacteria using a unique chlorination (concentrated) of commercial bleach containing 5.25% sodium hypochlorite. Do not use scented bleach water for this type of application. Obtain fresh bleach because the chlorine it contains is unstable and evaporates over time. Bleach loses half its power within six months.
Consult the well certificate of authorization to determine the depth of your well. You will find the depth of your well in the report that you received. This report should be included in the documentation you received from your notary when you purchased your home. If this information is not available, please contact H2Lab for advice (1-877-326-8690, toll-free) or consult the resources below.
Didn't you receive your results? Do you want more details on the analysis?
For any questions regarding your results (interpretation, recommendations, etc.), you can contact the H2Lab laboratory at 1-877-326-8690.
The H2Lab laboratory offers bilingual service.
Resources
MELCC. La qualité de l’eau de mon puits (French only)
Health Canada. What's In Your Well? A guide to Well Water Treatment and Maintenance.
This page was last updated on April 14, 2023
Information
Planning and Sustainable Development Department