Table 3.

Respondent explanations for not testing their private water supplies at a frequency that met or exceeded provincial recommendations, Newfoundland & Labrador, 2007 (n = 339; multiple explanations per respondent permitted)

Explanation	Frequency # (%)
No noticeable changes to water, looks and smells normal, trust it*	93 (27.4)
No problems noted in general*	41 (12.1)
Inconvenient to drop off a sample for testing	33 (9.7)
There is no need to test the water that frequently*	30 (8.8)
Inconvenient to pick up sample bottle	25 (7.4)
Lack of information on testing	20 (5.9)
Previous test results were normal*	17 (5.0)
Don’t drink water from the private water source	15 (4.4)
Inconvenient (in general)*	14 (4.1)
No particular reason*	14 (4.1)
Forget or procrastinate*	8 (2.4)
No health problems among household members noted*	6 (1.8)
Others nearby test their water and results normal, so no need*	5 (1.5)
Use a water treatment system*	5 (1.5)
Misinformed about recommended testing frequency*	3 (0.9)
Plan to test soon*	3 (0.9)
Cost*	2 (0.6)
Other**	5 (1.5)

*Initially coded as “other” in closed-ended question; re-categorized based on responses to a follow-up open-ended question.

**Verbatim other responses include:

I was getting the same answer that the water wasn’t suitable for drinking.

We tried to get it tested but the Government wouldn’t do it.

I just moved in.

Afraid they might say it’s not safe to drink.

Inaccurate test results in the past make you question the reliability of the testing.