What bacteria can be found in well water?
Generally, there are two categories of coliform bacteria that are found in well water, total coliform, and fecal coliform or E. coli.
Can well water cause bacterial infection?
DISEASE-CAUSING BACTERIA The Public Health Ontario Laboratory tests household well water samples for two indicators of bacteriological contamination, namely coliform bacteria and E. coli. These microorganisms can be the cause of enteric diseases with symptoms that include nausea, abdominal cramping and diarrhea.
What diseases can you get from well water?
While most coliform bacteria do not cause disease, their presence suggests there may be disease-causing microorganisms in your water. These microorganisms can cause diarrheas, dysenteries, salmonellosis, hepatitis, and guardians.
What is the most common contaminant in well water?
Common contaminants found in well water, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), include:
- Radon. Radon is commonly found in water but can be hard to detect.
- Arsenic.
- Nitrate.
- Radionuclides.
- Fluoride.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- Synthetic Organic Contaminants (SOCs)
- Microbial Contamination.
How do you know if you have bacteria in your well water?
Smell Signs to Look Out For One of the easiest ways to determine if your water is contaminated is by the smell of rotten eggs. A rotten egg smell points to sulfur bacteria or hydrogen sulfide gas in your water. Sulfur bacteria are naturally occurring.
Can you get staph from well water?
Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from over 6% of 320 rural drinking water specimens. Well water was the most common source examined. The presence of S. aureus was not found to correlate with the presence of coliform bacteria.
How do you treat bacteria in 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.
What to do if E. coli is in well water?
If E. coli is found present in your water sample, discontinue consumption of the water unless you treat it. Treatment can be achieved by boiling the water for at least one minute. Water should be treated for drinking, making baby formula, washing produce, brushing teeth, and making ice cubes.