The Alberta real-estate distinction
Alberta Health Services Environmental Public Health tests water from supplies people use for drinking, such as private wells. AHS says it does not test samples submitted for real estate, research, farming or business purposes; those samples must be sent to a commercial laboratory.
How often Alberta recommends testing
Current Alberta guidance recommends bacteria testing twice each year and chemical/trace-metal testing every three years for household drinking-water supplies. Testing sooner can make sense after a suspected contamination event or meaningful change in the water.
Alberta sampling details that matter
- A bacteria test looks for total coliforms and E. coli; chemical and trace-metal testing is a separate test type.
- Use the approved bottle and follow the collection instructions for the specific test.
- AHS notes that bacteria samples must reach the lab promptly and will not be tested when they are more than 24 hours old.
Finding the Alberta well ID and depth
The AHS requisition asks for well ID and depth. Alberta’s guidance points owners to the Alberta Water Well Information Database, the previous owner or real-estate agent, or the Groundwater Information Centre for help finding those details.
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Check a Canadian property →Frequently asked questions
Will Alberta Health Services test a sample for a home purchase?
AHS says samples collected for real-estate purposes are not tested through its household program and should be sent to a commercial laboratory.
How often should an Alberta private well be tested?
Current AHS guidance recommends bacteria testing twice each year and chemical/trace-metal testing every three years.
Where can I find an Alberta well ID or depth?
AHS points owners to the Alberta Water Well Information Database, seller or real-estate records, or the provincial Groundwater Information Centre.
Last reviewed: August 2026.
Check My Well summarizes public records and general information for informational and due-diligence purposes. Nearby records do not guarantee a property’s well depth, yield, water quality, condition or future drilling result. Verify material decisions against original records, current laboratory testing and qualified local professionals.