How-to · 7 min
How do I test well water in Canada?
What to test, how often, and how to use results to size iron filters, softeners, UV and RO — before you buy equipment.
- Author
- WaterFilterHelp Editorial Team
- Canadian home-water research and consumer education
- Reviewed by
- WaterFilterHelp Standards Review
- Fact-checked against official Canadian guidance and certification sources
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-23
Looking for a lab or free test option? Find a Water Test · Already have results? Explain your water test · Not sure which system you need? Run the Water Problem Wizard.
Minimum panel
- Total coliforms and E. coli
- Nitrates
- Hardness
- Iron and manganese
- Sulphur / odour notes
- pH and TDS
Add-ons by risk
- PFAS near airports or industry
- Arsenic or uranium in parts of the Shield and Atlantic Canada
- Sodium and chloride near coasts or road salt influence
How often
Most provinces recommend at least two bacteria tests per year, plus chemistry after floods, well work or unexplained illness.
After the results
Bring numbers to a local pro — or paste highlights into our quote notes. The Water Problem Wizard also asks whether you already have a test.