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Test Your Drir~k4r?g lNater! 1-800-433-6595 <br />i <br />~~~ <br />Water <br />oHome <br />oFAQs <br />JFree Brochure <br />~iContest <br />7Regulations <br />aGlossary <br />Retailers <br />JHow to Order <br />~wY^. <br />~ ~y <br />VE~rili<~ri s <br />rd„_ e.T~; <br />-~~-- -~ <br />r~ :'t <br />-''-~ ~ ~jM1.i,. <br />~~ hHJ .u..r Fg <br />SWTL WATER SECTION <br />«'hat is Coliform Bacteria? <br />Besides turning the grass brown and drying up lakes and streams drought conditions cart <br />cause other problems. So can heavy rainfall. Although a well may have had no problems for <br />many years, unusual weather conditions can cause dome wells to be contaminated with <br />bacteria. On the other hand, wells that have been contaminated by surface water may not <br />show a problem now, again, due to unusual weather conditions. This emphasizes the need <br />for regular testing of well water. <br />The basic test for bacterial contamination is Total Coliform bacteria. Total Coliform is an <br />indicator of the sanitary condition of a water supply. Total Coliform includes bacteria that is <br />found in soil, in water that is on or near the surface of the ground, and in human or animal <br />waste. <br />When Total Coliform is found in a private well supply, the first step is usually to check the <br />well for any physical defects. A broken or missing well cap, or a well casing which is too <br />close to the surface of the ground or is located beneath the ground, can allow surface water, <br />insects, and debris to enter the well. If any of these conditions are found, they should be <br />corrected and the water should be retested. <br />A well may prove to be inviting to insects, especially during dry conditions and high <br />• temperatures. Sometimes when checking a welt, there is evidence that insects are using the <br />well casing for a nesting area. When this is found, the problem can be controlled by covering <br />the top of the well casing with plastic screening and fastening it to the well casing with a large <br />screw clamp. This covering of screening will also prevent small rodents such as mice and <br />moles from entering the well. Mice have been known to squeeze through a space as small <br />as a coin slot. Since one-half inch or more of space is found around the average well casing, <br />mice and other rodents can easily enter. Once they fall into the water, they may be <br />disoriented and not be able to find their way out. Finding rodent hairs in the faucet strainers is <br />one clue that rodents have entered the well. <br />~s~ 1997-ZOCt <br />Suburban Water Testino Labs. mc. <br />(600)433-6595 <br />• <br />1 of 1 8/?8/2001 9:56 AM <br />