Private Wells & Cisterns

Many rural residents rely on private wells and cisterns as their drinking water source. In Hamilton, we estimate that there are about 10,000 private wells and cisterns in use.

Testing and maintenance of private wells is the responsibility of each well owner. To ensure your well water is safe to drink, Public Health Services recommends testing your well water at least three times each year for bacteria.

If you use well water and you have flooding in your area, your drinking water may be contaminated. Bring drinking water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before use or use another safe water source until you know your water is safe.

A properly constructed cistern is filled with City of Hamilton water delivered by an approved water hauler providing water that is safe to drink. Cisterns require periodic inspection, cleaning and disinfection.

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element more generally found in groundwater than surface water. Trace amounts of arsenic are found in food, water, soil and air.

Learn about the 2006 Public Health Advisory to all rural Hamilton residents located above the Niagara Escarpment, who use a drilled water well as their main source of drinking water.

Learn about the Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, also known as PFOS; and Propylene glycol in the headwater creeks of the Upper Welland River and Lake Nipenco.