Humber/Ontario Real Estate Course 4 Exam Practice

Buyer Clark is considering a waterfront cottage with a water well, tested three weeks ago with an acceptable fecal count. What advice is suitable based on well water analysis?

1. Clark should rely on the seller's statement that the water is safe and need not conduct further tests.

2. The water was unsafe at the test time due to fecal coliform and is likely still unsafe.

3. Chlorination treatment after the sale will permanently remove any contamination.

4. The fecal count indicates safe drinking water but some minimal chemical contamination.

The correct answer is: The water was unsafe at the test time due to fecal coliform and is likely still unsafe.

The analysis of the well water indicates that it was tested three weeks ago with an acceptable fecal count, which suggests that at the time of testing, the water was safe for consumption. However, this does not guarantee ongoing safety, as conditions can change. The key point is that fecal coliform bacteria can indicate contamination from fecal matter, serving as a potential health risk. Just because the count was acceptable at the time of testing does not mean that subsequent changes could not occur, such as environmental factors leading to further contamination. It is essential to understand that water quality can fluctuate due to various reasons, including weather conditions, nearby activities, and changes in water levels. Therefore, ongoing testing is crucial to ensure the continued safety of the water supply. The concern with the water being potentially unsafe is valid because if fecal coliform is present, it poses a risk to health. Relying solely on the seller's past testing without conducting further checks would be unwise, as the water could now be contaminated despite previous results appearing satisfactory.