Free well water kits given out by province don't test for hydrocarbons

The free well water testing kits given out by the province to residents impacted by the recentwildfires do not detect hydrocarbons, but there are options if anyone suspects that type of contamination.

Hydrocarbons are a large group of compounds that include fossil fuels such asnatural gas and petroleum. It can also include home heating oil.

Signs of hydrocarbon contamination includeodours or an oily sheen on water or soil. If this is detected, the province recommends that peoplecontact an environmental consulting company and ask to speak toan environmental site professional.

"This person will help them determine if ECC needs to be notified of the contamination and what needs to be done next,"MikaelaEtchegary, a spokesperson for the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate change, said in an email.

The well water testing kits distributed by the province can detectbacteria, conduct a metal scan and "analyze general chemistry parameters."

The province will collect samples from the testing kits and sendthem to labs for analysis. The results will be shared with homeowners.

• Using well water after a wildfire.
• How to disinfect your well.
• How to test your well water.
• Map of well water testing sites.