Press Release - Test your well three times a year

NEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York Public Health branch reminds home and cottage owners to test their private well water and inspect their well three times a year.

Well water should also be tested after any repairs or after flooding, if the well has been dormant or if there is a change in water appearance, colour or odour.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care offers private well water testing, free of charge, to owners of single family dwellings serviced by a private well.

These tests measure the presence of both total coliform and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the water. Coliform and E. coli are indicators of bacterial contamination and higher levels of them in the water may make the water unsafe to use and drink. Drinking water that contains harmful bacteria can cause nausea, stomach upset, diarrhea and other health-related problems.

During regular business hours, York Region residents can obtain free bottles for private well water collection at the following locations:

The Tannery MallSuite 240, 465 Davis Drive, Town of Newmarket

York Region South Services Centre2nd Floor, 50 High Tech Road, Town of Richmond Hill

York Region Markham OfficeSuite B6-9, 4261 Hwy. 7 East, Town of Markham

Town of Georgina Civic Centre26557 Civic Centre Road, Town of Georgina

Public health inspectors are also available to assist in the interpretation of the well water results and can offer advice on well disinfection, treatment and maintenance. Residents can speak with a public health inspector by calling the York Region Health Connection information line at 1-800-361-5653.

In addition to testing well water, private well owners should inspect their well annually to ensure it is free from damage and all components are in good working condition.

These tips and resources can help keep your private well and well water safe:

• When doing repairs to your well, take the opportunity to upgrade your well to regulation standards. For more information on well construction, visit the Ministry of the Environment website at www.ene.gov.on.ca

• A Certified Well Guide is available through the Windfall Ecology Centre’s Well Aware Program. The free guide assists homeowners to assess their well and identify factors that influence the quality and quantity of their well water. For more information, please visit www.windfallcentre.ca

• If a well is beyond repair or no longer in use, it should be properly decommissioned by a licensed well contractor. The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority may provide assistance for decommissioning of a well. To learn more about the Lake Simcoe Water Quality Improvement Program, visit www.lsrca.on.caResidents who receive their water from a municipal source do not need to test their water. Municipal water is routinely tested by the Region and the local municipality. Water samples from a municipal supply will not be analysed by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Laboratory.

Press Release - Leave the driving to YRT/Viva this New Year’s Eve

Leave the car at home and enjoy a free ride after 7 p.m. on YRT/Viva services

NEWMARKET – Celebrate this New Year’s Eve and get home safely on YRT/Viva. The Regional Municipality of York will once again offer complimentary YRT/Viva rides starting at 7 p.m. on December 31st until the early hours of New Year’s Day. "We’re very pleased to offer complimentary YRT/Viva service for all residents and visitors to York Region this New Year’s Eve," said York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch. “This convenient service provides a safe and worry-free alternative to driving during this evening of celebration.”

The complimentary New Year's Eve service is available on all YRT/Viva, TTC and Brampton transit routes operating within York Region, starting at 7:00 p.m. on December 31st. Extended late evening service will be available on select routes until approximately 3 a.m. Complimentary Mobility Plus rides after 7 p.m. will be also be available for registered Mobility Plus users.

"It’s best to leave the car at home if you plan to attend a party where alcohol is involved,” said York Regional Police Chief Armand La Barge. "Using public transit is a great way to leave the safe driving to someone else — to and from your event." On Monday, December 31st, YRT/Viva will be operating on a regular weekday schedule with some minor schedule adjustments. On Tuesday, January 1st, YRT/Viva will be operating on a Sunday service schedule.

Riders are encouraged to visit the YRT/Viva website at www.yrt.ca, or contact the Customer Service Centre at 1-866-MOVE-YRT (668-3978) to confirm route and schedule information.

Sports Report

NBA: Toronto 92 Dallas 76

OPJHL: Markham 11 Dixie 2

York Region Athletics

Sr. Boys' Basketball — Huron Hts 61 (Curt Macgillivray, 12), Aurora 60 (Karl Meise, 18); Sacred Heart 71 (Scott Laws and Lucas Rooney, 17), Sutton 31 (Blake Lafave, 11); St.Joan of Arc 66 (Steven Minatel, 18), Westmount 54 (Michael Turk, 15); Unionville 45 (Michael Ifejika, 21), Richmond Green 42 (Stephen Massie, 19);

Jr. Boys' Basketball — Pierre Trudeau 64 (Jon Phromratsamy, 18), St. Augustine 48 (Eric Chiu, 19); Alexander Mackenzie 77 (Justin Nelson, 18), St. Augustine 36 (Justin Chang, 10); St. Jean de Brebeuf51 (Trent Lukasewich, 20), Westmount 34 (Edan Kopernik, 10); St. Theresa of Lisieux 95 (Malik Cox, 39), Cardinal Carter 62 (Juda Gouvena, 23); St. Joan of Arc 66, Sutton 43;


Sr. Boys' Hockey — Newmarket 4 (Alex Guptill, 2, Brett Murray, Stefano Teofilio), Huron Hts 2 (Dan Telford, Josh Mansey);

Sr. Girls' Volleyball — Our Lady of the Lake 2, Williams 0 (25-12, 25-10; Williaams 2, Keswick 1 (25-18, 20-25, 18-16); Our Lady of the Lake 2, Keswick 0 (25-22, 25-22);

Jr. Girls' Volleyball — St. Joan of Arc 2, Holy Cross 1 (25-14, 19-25, 16-14)

Tonight

OHL: Oshawa vs. Brampton; 7:00pm, Powerade Centre

With files from thestar.com