Is There Bacteria In Your Well Water?

Common Types of Bacteria In Water

Total Coliform – Coliform are a naturally-occurring and usually benign bacteria very common in the environment. While not always an indication of a problem in your water, they can signal that other types of coliforms, like fecal coliforms, could be in the supply. Read more below.

Fecal Coliform – As its name might suggest, fecal coliform indicates water has been contaminated by human or animal waste, commonly as a result of heavy runoff near agricultural areas. Fecal coliform contamination can cause stomach issues when in- gested, ranging from mild upset for young and healthy people to more severe symptoms for children, expecting mothers, the elderly, and those who may already be immunocompromised.

E.coli – Having made its share of headlines, E.coli may be the most recognizable bacteria in water. As a form of fecal coliform bacteria, E.coli in water presents the same symptoms and is generally caused the same way (agricultural runoff, septic system malfunction, well or water infrastructure breakdown). Some forms of E.coli can be more serious than general fecal coliforms, especially for vulnerable members of the population.

Legionella – Legionella is also a commonly occurring bacteria. It becomes problematic when it’s aerosolized — or airborne — as it would if you were using legionella contaminated water for an air conditioning unit, or to shower with (where legionella bacteria would form steam that could then be inhaled). Like coliform contamination, legionella contamination typically occurs through breakdowns in water infrastructure and/or during storms, floods, or other periods of increased runoff.

Giardia & Cryptosporidium – Found all over the world, giardia and cryptosporidium are a parasites that cause severe stomach upset when ingested. They are also closely associated with poor sanitation, waste-contaminated, or otherwise untreated water, and can be caused when runoff near agricultural areas exceeds the capacity of water infrastructure and treatment.

Bacteria That Filters Can Not Remove (and What To Do)

Campylobacteriosis is the most common bacterial cause of diarrhea in the U.S, and affects nearly 1% of the population every year, according to the CDC. Salmonella has been known to cause waterborne disease for more than 100 years. These come from the intestines of humans and animals.

These diseases are found in private wells from sewage malfunctions, runoff, and flooding in wells that are shallow, have been bored or dug, or flooded for longer periods of time. There is no filter that has been certified to remove campylobacter or salmonella.

Contact your local state certification officer if your water tests positive for them, and boil your water.

Bacteria can also cause aesthetic issues. Iron-eating bacteria leaves behind waste deposits, causing sludge in your bathroom and kitchen fixtures. It also can react with hydrogen sulfide to cause the rotten egg smell you may be familiar with in your drinking water.

Bacteria is not always a persistent contaminant. It may the issue of a one-time contamination caused by a faulty well cap, new pump installation or surface runoff from heavy rainfall.

The issue can be a seasonal occurrence, as bacteria naturally thrives in warmer environments, all of these issues can be more prevalent in the spring and summer months.

Bacteria in Municipal Systems

While water bacteria are most often an issue affecting those who use well water, it’s not uncommon for municipal supplies to experience occasional issues with bacteria. It can be an issue during periods of heavy rain or runoff, which often impacts reservoirs and existing water treatment infrastructure.

Viruses In Your Water Supply (Coronavirus, In Particular)

With all the precautions being taken to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus thru social distancing, one concern could have been coronavirus in your tap water.

More than one hundred different species of viruses can spread through water that can lead to diseases in humans — including hepatitis, gastroenteritis, meningitis, fever, rash, and conjunctivitis. But viruses, along with bacteria, are high on the regulation hit list for any water treatment plan. This means most bacteria and viruses don’t have a chance to reach your tap.

Furthermore, the CDC posted a bulletin regarding the issue of coronavirus in water:

“The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.”

Based on this information, the CDC has determined that coronavirus has not been detected in tap water.

Water Treatment for Viruses

It wouldn’t be unprecedented to have a water issue with coronavirus — albeit these problems are typically not related to drinking water. The last major coronavirus outbreak, SARS, was found to be living in contaminated raw sewage for 2 to 14 days.

But the CDC, WHO and EPA cite traditional water treatment methods as a way to get rid of any coronavirus concerns. This would include:

• Chlorination
• Chloramines
• UV Treatment

Finding Viruses In Unregulated Water Sources Such As Well Water

Other sources where treatment is done by private well owners are more susceptible to contamination. But that doesn’t necessarily mean a virus is lurking in your well. While well water can be a source for bacteria to reside if untreated, there are few instances of anecdotal evidence supporting the presence of viruses in private well water.

“Generally, if a virus gets in a well, it’s an extreme situation, like flooding” said Gary Falkengren, a water treatment specialist with Culligan International for nearly three decades.