Water that is safe and clean is vital to a happy and healthy life. To check for bacteria, testing is the most reliable option. If your well water tested positive for coliform, don’t exaggerate, nor need to go for expensive repairs or treatment. Instead, read this article and get to know if it’s a matter of concern or not and what you should be doing next.
Disinfection is what you should be doing as soon as possible, and in case you have to use water before that, consider boiling it first.
It surely is not enough, and we are going to look into more details of it. Continue to read if you are concerned about your health and well-being.
Before we proceed to know how coliform gets into the well water and what are the ways to fix it, let’s get a brief overview of it so that we know what we are dealing with.
What are coliforms?
Belong to a family group of bacteria, they are naturally found in soil, on plants, and as well as in warm-blooded animals, including humans. In case you were not aware, coliforms do not naturally occur in groundwater.
Are coliforms harmful?
As coliform is a large group, a second test is often conducted to get to know about the particular bacteria type. Typically, we look for E. coli or Fecal Coliform. These are strains of coliform bacteria that can be unsafe and cause illness.
Typically, it reflects animal waste contamination in the water. You can imagine the health risk associated with it if you drink water contaminated with fecal waste. It is one of the reasons why we should take the coliform test seriously. Besides these two types, coliforms do not possess any threat or danger.
Where do coliform bacteria come from in well water?
There are multiple entryways when it comes for coliform to enter the water system. It is important to know because only then you can get rid of the problem. The possibilities include:
- Open water well is a clear invitation to bacteria. A well without any cover, or if it has holes, cracks, or any other problem, the bacteria can pass through.
- Similarly, holes and cracks in the plumbing system can allow the bacteria to enter the water.
- If you have done some repairs but forget to disinfect, don’t be surprised to see a positive test for coliform.
- Leakage of the septic system, water lines, or any other pipe leading to the well can also allow entry to the bacteria.
- If you see standing water next to your well, it might be the problem you had been looking for.
- If you have abandoned wells in the area, it may be leading to the growth of bacteria in groundwater.
- Heavy rain or flooding can also allow the coliform to enter groundwater.
As you can see, there are quite a few pathways for coliform to get into your water system. Remember, coliforms are present in the environment, and they can come from anywhere, including pastures, woodland, or animal waste.
What if my well water is tested positive for coliform?
Get a second test done to know what variant of coliform is present in your well water. If E. coli is found, do not consume water in any form until it is treated and tested again.
If E.coli is not there but tested positive for other coliform bacteria, avoid drinking water, and use it after boiling if required.
Whatever it is, there is no reason for panic.
You can consult the local health department, and they can suggest a way out. You may be asked for disinfection; only get it from registered experts.
Meanwhile, inspect your well and the overall plumbing system; fix any gaps, holes, and cracks so that you can prevent the bacteria from entering water lines. You may use specialized filters as well in this regard.
To keep your water safe and clean, consider installing a water treatment system and free yourself from all worries.
How often should you test your well water for coliform bacteria?
Once in a year is a must, but at the same time, you should get the water tested when you feel a change in its properties, such as color or taste. Similarly, get a test done when you sense a bad odor; if it is sulfur or rotten egg smell, there are ways to fix it. Moreover, get the well water tested after heavy rain or floods in the area where the well is located.
Conclusion
Firstly, it’s good to know that you are getting your well water tested. It shows how responsible you are regarding your health. With that said, if your well water tested positive for coliform, there is no need to hustle. Just arrange a second source of drinking water until it is treated and tested negative. In case there is no other source, and you need to use water, boil it down so that it eliminates the bacteria.
Keep inspecting the well for any repairs that may be needed to prevent it from happening again, and also, make use of water filters. Be safe and drink safe.