What kind of testing is done to ensure my drinking water is safe?

What kind of testing is done to ensure my drinking water is safe?

The microbiological test will identify total coliforms (a type of bacteria) and faecal coliforms in drinking water. The faecal coliform test (most commonly tested for thermotolerant coliforms or Escherichia coli) will indicate the level of faecal contamination in the water and how safe the water is to drink.

How do I know if my well water is safe to drink?

The only way to tell if your drinking water is safe is by having it tested at a certified laboratory. Harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses are invisible to the naked eye, so water which looks and tastes good may not necessarily be safe to drink.

Can I test my well water myself?

If not, you can have your water tested by a state certified laboratory. You can find one in your area by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or visiting www.epa.gov/safewater/labs. Most testing laboratories or services supply their own sample containers.

Can well water make you sick?

Can bacteria in well water make you sick? yes, household well water that is contaminated likely holds coliform bacteria and E-coli. These microorganisms can be the cause of enteric diseases.

Does well water go bad?

Although properly stored public-supply water should have an indefinite shelf life, replace it every 6 to 12 months for best taste. If the water you are storing comes from a private well, spring, or other untested source, purify it before storage to kill pathogens (see below).

Is it safe to shower in untreated well water?

If your water at home is from a private well or small community well, you should boil the water or use approved bottled water for drinking. Sometimes a well is more likely to become contaminated with bacteria. Bathing is not a problem using well water.

What are the pros and cons of well water?

Well water is normally fresher, high in nutrients, and high in minerals. Because well water is coming from the aquifer underground, instead of run- off or surface water, it tends to be cleaner and fresher. Ground water is also high in healthy nutrients and minerals that are good for the body, including children.

What do you do if you have bacteria in your well water?

What to do if Your Water Tests Positive for Coliform Bacteria

1. Use boiled or bottled water or water from a safe alternative source for cooking and drinking until you address the issue.
2. Disinfect your well with a chlorine solution.
3. Test your well water again after disinfection to confirm there are no coliform bacteria.

What happens if you drink water with bacteria in it?

The presence of coliform bacteria, specifically E. coli (a type of coliform bacteria), in drinking water suggests the water may contain pathogens that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, nausea, headaches, fever, fatigue, and even death sometimes.

What should be used to purify well water?

Shock chlorination is the process by which home water systems such as wells, springs, and cisterns are disinfected using household liquid bleach (or chlo- rine). Shock chlorination is the most widely recommended means of treating bacterial contamination in home water systems.

How do I keep my well water clear?

Allow the sanitized well water to stand in the system for at least six hours-preferably over-night. Open an outside faucet and flush the system until the well water runs chlorine free (until you don’t smell any chlorine). Repeat flush operation on each faucet in the system.

Can you filter well water to drink?

Water filters are one way that you can remove contaminants from your water. When your water is sourced from a well, you could require a more vigorous water filtration system than those who don’t have well water due to the various contaminants seeping into the soil and your water system.

What is the best filter for well water?

• BEST OVERALL: Express Water 3 Stage Whole House Water Filtration.
• BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: iSpring 3-Stage Whole House Water Filtration.
• BEST FOR HARD WATER: Aquasana Whole House Water Filter System.
• BEST TO REMOVE BACTERIA: Pelican Water UV Water Treatment and Disinfection.