Exploring private water wells for fecal sources and evidence of pathogen presence in the context of current testing practices for potability in Ontario

Abstract Private water wells provide drinking water for an estimated 4.1 million households in Canada yet remain understudied in the context of microbial water quality or human health impacts. As there exists little systematic surveillance for enteric infections or outbreaks related to well water sources, consumers may be at risk of waterborne infectious diseases. A standard protocol in Ontario requires 200 mL of water, …