Causes of bacteria presence in your water

Coliform can enter your well through groundwater, surface water run-off, cracked or broken well parts, poor construction, and leaking septic tanks. Coliform in your well water can mean there are disease-causing organisms such as E. coli. Coliforms are bacteria that are always present in the digestive tracts of animals, including humans, and are found in their wastes. They are also found in plant and soil material.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the major species in the fecal coliform group. Of the five general groups of bacteria that comprise the total coliforms, only E. coli is generally not found growing and reproducing in the environment. Consequently, E. coli is considered to be the species of coliform bacteria that is the best indicator of fecal pollution and the possible presence of pathogens.

• Only cold water smells like sulfur: The major culprit behind cold water smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur is sulfate-reducing bacteria. Poor aeration and corrosion are often factors that increase the growth of this type of bacteria. Often times, this is the reason why your water smells like sulfur when you first turn it on.

• Both hot and cold water smells like sulfur: If the odor is present in both your hot and cold water, the most common cause is the presence of hydrogen sulfide in your water supply. Essentially, sulfur bacteria create hydrogen sulfide gas as a result of feeding on sulfates in the water. This gas ends up getting trapped in underground water sources — and eventually, the bacteria make slime that can help other bacteria grow.

• Only hot water smells like sulfur: If the sulfur smell is present only when you use hot water, the problem could be caused by chemical reactions coming from your hot water heater. Most hot water heaters contain a metal rod called an anode. These rods help eliminate corrosion in your water heater tank. This rod contains either magnesium or aluminum, so the metal can react with sulfates in the water to cause the hydrogen sulfide odor. The hot water heater can also produce a warm environment where sulfur bacteria thrive

Shock a well is a relatively straight-forward procedure used to control bacteria in wells. It involves careful procedures such as adding the proper amount  of  a formulated remediation mixture to the water in the well, inspecting the casing and well head for potential contamination points,  and pumping it through the water distribution system. Call us to perform the "well shock" and get your well water supply back to safe drinking water.

The technician will create an opening by removing the cap at the top of the well to pour in the remediation solution. Well caps vary; this step may be easier for some wells than others.

Next we'll determine the amount of carefully-formulated remediation mixture you will need. An initial remediated concentration of 50 to 100 parts per million (ppm) will be introduced into the system. Sodium hypochlorite and the concentration should be about 5-6%. (Science talk....let us worry about that!)

After pouring the formulated mixture into the well casing, we will make sure the remediation mixture is doing its  job by making sure the system flushes by opening each fixture (sink, shower, outdoor faucet, etc.) one at a time and let water run until we smell the mixture. We will also run the hot water to draw the mixture  into the water heater. If you don't smell the mixture, we need to add more diluted parts per million solution and circulate with the hose again.

Now here's your part, part 1: Hold the mixture in the pipes for 6 hours and don't use the water! (A few toilet flushes are okay). Definitely do not drink the water, do not bath/shower, and no washing clothes. After 6 hours, run your water for about 1 hour, 2 times a day, for 2 days. 

About 3 days later, test for coliform bacteria. Do not consume the water until you receive "clean" test results

At a minimum, check your well every spring to make sure there are no mechanical problems; test it once each year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels. If you suspect other contaminants, you should test for those as well. However, spend time identifying potential problems as these tests can be expensive. The best way to start is to call us and let us fix that!

The basic bacteria water test ( Coliform & E.coli) will take 48 hours for results.

For a more extensive water test, which will test for nitrates, nitrates, lead, coliform, E.coli will take 7-10 business days.

Book will is today and lets get your well shocked and water tested!

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