Total Coliform Bacteria In Well Water Treatment

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.

Total coliform bacteria in well water treatment.

Animal feces raw surface water soil and decaying plants normally contain varying amounts of coliform. Measurement of coliform bacteria in drinking water. Generally speaking if your water tests positive for total coliforms but negative for e coli surface water has infiltrated the well. There are three measurements of coliform bacteria.

The presence of total coliform indicates that your water source has been exposed to environmental. Total coliform is a catch all term for the bacteria used in coliform testing. Coliform bacteria are organisms which may be present in well water. This test is readily available to the public and is inexpensive generally 10 to 30.

These species are broken down into three groups. This measurement includes all coliform bacteria. Coliform bacteria is a group of 16 species of bacteria used to indicate water quality. The most common water test for bacteria is for total coliform bacteria.

These bacteria can migrate into well water and cause the water to become biologically polluted. Total coliform fecal coliform and e. 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. If coliform bacteria are present in your drinking water your risk of contracting a water borne illness is increased.

What is coliform bacteria.