Check the sample date and source, then compare each value and unit with its guideline using Nova Scotia’s interpretation tool. Contact your lab or public health promptly when a report flags bacteria or a result above a health guideline. [27] [26]
Check the sample and the units
Find the sampling date, the location of the tap, and whether the sample was collected before or after treatment. Keep each value with its unit. The same number can mean different things in milligrams per litre and micrograms per litre. Use the full report when asking for advice. [27]
Read the bacteria and chemistry sections separately
Look for the total coliform and E. coli results, then review each measured chemical. The provincial interpretation tool lets you compare your results with drinking-water guidelines. Nova Scotia explains that arsenic and manganese need specific laboratory measurements. [26] [28] [24]
Follow the lab’s advice, then compare treatment if needed
For a flagged result, ask the lab or public health what to do about using the water now, whether to collect another sample, and what follow-up testing is appropriate. Once you have that guidance, bring the report when comparing treatment and ask how any change will be verified. [26]
Quick questions
Can a TDS reading replace a lab result for arsenic?
A lab must specifically test for arsenic. Learn what a TDS reading tells you. [28]
Is a staining guideline the same as a health guideline?
They serve different purposes. For example, Nova Scotia lists separate manganese values for health and aesthetic effects. [24]