Groundwater quality in Saskatchewan is not regulated, meaning rural residents are responsible for regularly testing the water from their private wells and cisterns. To support this need, the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds (SAW) partners with the Water Security Agency and the Saskatchewan Health Authority to offer free drinking water testing. Each year from June to September, SAW provides complimentary testing and a comprehensive Drinking Water Guide to residents in 10–12 selected rural municipalities.

This year we are testing in the RMs of Val Marie #17, Bengough #40, Willow Bunch #42, Old Post #43, Waverley #44, Mankota #45, Key West #70, Excel #71, Lake of The Rivers #72, Stonehenge #73, Wood River #74, Pinto Creek #75, Elmsthorpe #100, Terrell #101, Lake Johnston #102, Sutton #103, Gravelbourg #104 and Glen Bain #105.

Rural water quality testing strengthens community water security by ensuring safe drinking water through reliable well testing, supporting water infrastructure management with technical guidance, promoting secure and resilient water supplies through wellhead protection, and enabling effective water related response and planning by equipping rural users with the information needed for treatment and long term decision making.

Project Highlights

• 800 rural water wells tested in 2024 and 2025 in the South-Central/Central and Southwest regions
• 46 Rural Municipalities participating to date
• Testing is free for participants and takes about 30 minutes per well

For more information on the program or to place your name on the program contact list, contact us at 306-541-9902 or info@saskwatersheds.ca