Well Water Tested Positive Coliform

These species are broken down into three groups.

Well water tested positive coliform.

Additionally all ground water sources must be sampled for e. The purpose of the 1989 tcr is to protect public health by ensuring the integrity of the drinking water distribution system and monitoring for the presence of microbial. Coliform bacteria is a group of 16 species of bacteria used to indicate water quality. If the sample still tests positive for total coliform then treat the system with chlorine.

Water well inspection and system maintenance. Generally speaking if your water tests positive for total coliforms but negative for e coli surface water has infiltrated the well. Total coliform fecal coliform and e. A positive test for coliform indicates that there could be dangerous organisms in your drinking water.

When a water system receives an unsafe or total coliform positive sample result within 24 hours the owner or operator must collect a set of repeat total coliform samples in the distribution system for the revised total coliform rule rtcr. Coli test to determine the extent of the bacterial threat a professional contractor will perform a thorough inspection of your entire water well system and complete any necessary maintenance. The environmental protection agency epa provides additional information regarding the safety of drinking water. After repeating the coliform bacteria test to confirm the results and a follow up e.

Also some types of coliform are harmful to ingest. However wells that have been found to test positive for coliform bacteria must be treated and retested until the problem is resolved. This means that if coliform is found in your well water there s a huge chance that other types of harmful bacteria parasites and pathogens are in the water as well. Advice for well that tests positive for coliform bacteria.

Total coliform is a catch all term for the bacteria used in coliform testing. If your water tests positive for total coliforms and positive for e coli there s a fecal contamination source which could be a leaking septic system or agricultural runoff containing animal waste. What to do if your. Education and information about well testing including when to test water quality indicators total coliforms fecal coliforms ph nitrate volatile organic compounds total dissolved solids germs sewage feces chemicals and state certified drinking water laboratories.

Coli under the ground water rule gwr. Retest the water after the chlorine has left the system in about 10 days to two weeks make sure that the water tests negative for chlorine. Coli or fecal coliforms acute mcl. Call the epa s safe drinking water hotline at 800 426 4791.

The presence of total coliform indicates that your water source has been exposed to environmental. Discussion in pumps and tanks well forum blog water is life started by craig engleman jul 30 2012.