Total Coliform Bacteria In Well Water Treatment

Total coliform fecal coliform and e.

Total coliform bacteria in well water treatment.

Total coliform is a catch all term for the bacteria used in coliform testing. These bacteria can migrate into well water and cause the water to become biologically polluted. The presence of total coliform indicates that your water source has been exposed to environmental. 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.

These species are broken down into three groups. This test is readily available to the public and is inexpensive generally 10 to 30. The bacteria are then grown in a laboratory and quantified. Coliform bacteria is a group of 16 species of bacteria used to indicate water quality.

Measurement of coliform bacteria in drinking water. If coliform bacteria are present in your drinking water your risk of contracting a water borne illness is increased. The most common water test for bacteria is for total coliform bacteria. Generally speaking if your water tests positive for total coliforms but negative for e coli surface water has infiltrated the well.

This measurement includes all coliform bacteria. Coliform bacteria are organisms which may be present in well water. Animal feces raw surface water soil and decaying plants normally contain varying amounts of coliform. Water samples for coliform bacteria must be collected in sterile bottles using specific procedures.

Although total coliforms can come from sources other than fecal matter a positive total coliform sample should be considered an indication of pollution in your well.