Bacteria in Private Well Water and the UV Light Water Treatment Solution

Municipal water supplies conduct regular testing and treatment of their water but homeowners that have a private well water supply often miss out on this step. They don’t realize that private wells are solely the responsibility of the owner and they must get it checked themselves.

Many times water in private wells contains bacteria but as this isn’t visible to the human eye we don’t realize that there are hidden contaminants in the water. We only think along these lines when we start to face health problems like gastrointestinal issues, cholera, hepatitis, etc.

When Should You Test Your Well Water?

Prevention is better than cure, so homeowners must get their private well water tested regularly. Public health agencies recommend that testing should be done for total coliform bacteria at least once a year. This is especially important during the warm summer months when water is more likely to be affected by external factors.

Here are some conditions under which you must definitely schedule a test:

• Changes in Water Quality - If your water’s taste, color, or odor has changed suddenly then you must get it tested.
• Health Concerns - If a family member has a weak immune system or a history of serious illness, periodic water testing becomes even more important.
• Family Changes - If your family is growing or someone in the family experiences sudden gastrointestinal issues, water testing should be done on priority.
• New Home - If you move into a new home, you must get the water tested to spot any underlying water issues before they cause health problems.

The bacterial levels in well water can be affected by the changing seasons, coliform bacteria such as fecal coliforms and E. coli are more prevalent during certain times of the year. By doing regular testing you can keep track of these changes and ensure that your water is clean and pure.

How Does the Testing Work?

To check for the presence of total coliforms the presence-absence method of water testing is done.

1. A sample of water is drawn, it is initially dark purple.
2. The sample is incubated at 25 to 30°C for 48 hours.
3. During incubation, if the water turns yellow then it indicates the presence of total coliform bacteria.

This test detects coliform bacteria at levels as low as 1 colony-forming unit (CFU) per 100 milliliters of water, making it a reliable method for checking water safety. If your water tests positive for coliform bacteria then it is essential to promptly invest in an advanced water filtration method such as UV treatment.

If your water tests negative for coliform bacteria, then it is still important to maintain a regular testing schedule and you can still invest in a water filtration system just to be on the safer side.

UV Light Water Treatment: The Effective Solution

UV light water treatment is an effective method of treating bacterial contamination in private well water. In this UV filtration systems are installed which use ultraviolet light to destroy any bacteria and viruses present in the water. The UV light destroys the DNA of these pathogens making them incapable of multiplying and causing illnesses.

The major benefit that these systems offer is that they don’t use any chemicals for water treatment, which means that the taste and smell of your water won’t get altered. Plus these are efficient and generate water on demand without the need for any storage tanks.

If you want to get a top-notch water filtration system then get in touch with Gordon Water. We offer cutting-edge water filters and systems that effectively remove contaminants from the water.

To better understand your water quality you can get your water tested by us, our team can visit your home to collect a water sample and after the testing, we can provide you with a detailed water analysis report. Based on the results we can assist you in selecting a water filtration system that will best suit your needs and help safeguard the health of your family.