The Mayor of Saugeen Shores says they’re close to having private well water testing return to the town, thanks to efforts by the local health unit.
Grey Bruce Public Health has been working to establish a network of water sample drop-off sites so that one is a 30-minute drive from any household in the region.
Saugeen Shores has been pushing for a local drop-off location since hospitals stopped accepting samples during the pandemic. Public Health Ontario said it was “not possible to add additional water sites to the existing courier route,” which currently has stops in Kincardine, Wiarton, and Owen Sound.
However, Mayor Luke Charbonneau, who also sits on the Health Unit’s board, assures residents a solution is coming.
“Dr. (Ian) Arra and the board of health have looked at that and they’re starting to layout a new pattern of pickup locations and that will include Saugeen Shores we hope,” he said. “Although we got a disappointing answer out of Public Health Ontario, we got some more progress and positive action out of Grey Bruce Public Health, so I feel good. Although we still don’t quite have an active pickup zone in Saugeen Shores, I feel we’re heading to the point where we’re going to have one.”
Charbonneau added the pickup network is close to being finalized and they hope to have a resolution soon.
For now, if you need well water tested, you can find locations at the Health Unit’s website.
