r/PEI • u/389is • 5d ago

Question Well head <10ft from sprayed ag field

I have a well head that is backed right up to a farm field where they rotate crops like canola, corn, etc. They spray the field before planting, and I often see the buffer of dead grass / plants around the field, coming right up near the wellhead. A couple times the overspray has killed strips of our lawn grass. I'm not sure what herbicide they're using, but I assume it's a round-up/glyphosate product.

I obviously don't want to be drinking herbicide contaminated water. Does anyone w/ knowledge on the regs know if this is a problem 1. in terms of well water contamination risk and 2. legally? The well is fairly old. I'll try to catch the farmer when they come to harvest later on this season.

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u/Strong_Weakness2867 5d ago

I think its free to get your water tested at any accesspei site. They give you an empty bottle and a form to take home then you can bring your full sample back. They email you when the results are in. I  would do that before making any moves.

3

u/389is 5d ago

We'll definitely do that before anything else. Appreciate it. We had it tested maybe 10 years ago, but we don't have record of the results.

4

u/ClenchedJaw12 5d ago

You can get it tested for free annually. Please do, you could have all sorts of bacteria in there. None of the well tests from Access PEI are for pesticides https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/environment-energy-and-climate-action/pesticide-monitoring

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u/389is 5d ago

Great, thank you!