Rural Water Woes: Bacteria In Your Well

Living outside of the hustle and bustle of America'sout of the well. Groundwater, except in rare cases, is
major cities certainly has its perks - no snarled traffic,free from bacteria. Virtually all bacterial contamination
less noise, less crime, clean air, clean water.of a drilled well occurs when surface water is allowed
Right?enter the well. Surface water is water that travels
Most of the time these statements are true, but at anover the ground but also water that travels through
alarming rate rural homeowners are having trouble withthe first few feet of soil.
their water supply. Many rural inhabitants areWhen a well is constructed there are rules that well
discovering that their once-pristine wells are nowdrillers must follow. These rules vary by jurisdiction but
contaminated with bacteria. Interestingly, there hasthe themes are consistent. Ensuring these steps were
been no nation-wide assessment of the health of ourfollowed will go a long way to ensuring you avoid a
rural water wells. But two smaller scale studiesbacteria problem, or cure the one you've got.
suggest that 20 to 40 percent of the private wells inFirst, figure out where your well is located. It sounds like
any given area are contaminated with bacteria.an elementary step, but it's surprising how many rural
So what is a rural well owner to do? As it should behomeowners can't tell you where their well is situated.
with any health related issue, the best thing you can doSecond, it's critical that a well is not located close to a
is educate yourself first, and take action second. Sopollution source. Keep wells far away from septic
before you pour a gallon of Javex down your well, let'stanks and weeping beds, or containers of manure.
take a closer look at what bacterial contaminationThese are notorious sources of e.coli bacteria.
entails and what you can do to solve your problem.Third, ensure that the well is sealed. When a well is
Bacteria are everywhere. They carpet virtually all theconstructed, there is a space between the well casing
surfaces we come into contact with and are found inand the hole in the ground into which this casing fits.
every nook and cranny of the Earth. Most of them areThis is known as the annular space. To ensure that no
harmless to humans, but a small percentage has thesurface water is allowed to collect around the casing
ability to cause disease.this space must be filled with watertight material to a
The most common bacteria found in wells are coliformcertain depth. A visual inspecting will at least confirm
bacteria and e.coli. Coliform bacteria are a family ofthat the top of the annular space has been filled and
bacteria that are found in many places including soil.sealed.
Coliform is not particularly concerning unless waterFourth, make sure the well casing extends above the
supplies contain massive amounts. In any laboratorylevel of the ground. It's important that the well casing is
water test the presence of coliform bacteria is alwaysat least several inches higher than the surrounding
investigated because its presence in a well indicatesground to ensure that no surface water can run into
that there is a pathway through which bacteria canthe well.
travel from the soil to your water. In a properlyFifth, ensure that the top of your well is sealed with a
constructed and maintained well, there should be novermin proof well cap. Some bacterial problems arise
such pathway. More about this later.when animals climb into the well cap, fall into the well
The presence of any e.coli bacteria in your water is aand die. The rotting material will cause bacterial levels
much more serious issue. E. coli has gained muchto skyrocket.
notoriety because of several national outbreaks of theDespite taking these measures, you may still find that a
disease from contaminated ground beef. While mostbacterial problem persists. At this point the well owner
people are aware of the possibility of e.coliis faced with the expensive prospect of drilling another
contamination in food, many people are not aware thatwell. Fortunately, technology provides us with a very
it can turn up in a water test. E.coli contamination ofreliable and much less expensive solution: ultraviolet light
water is common enough that all water-testing facilitieswater disinfection.
will test for it's presence as part of their standardUltraviolet light (UV for short) is able to render bacteria
battery of tests.harmless. A UV system for water purification is simply
E.coli normally resides in the guts of many mammalsa device that is plumbed on the main water line in the
including humans and cattle. The presence of e.coli inhome. It consists of a steel chamber into which is
your water indicates that fecal matter has made itsinserted a high-output UV lamp. As bacteria move past
way into your water supply. Consuming water thatthe lamp they are zapped and eventually die. A UV
contains e.coli will usually result in cramping andsystem will take care of e.coli, coliform bacteria as well
diarrhea. However, there are some strains of e.coli thatas most other bacteria, viruses and cysts that might
are much more aggressive. Consuming thesebe found in your water supply.
dangerous strains of e.coli can result in liver damageSo take the time to know where your well is, and
and ultimately death.inspect it to make sure nothing is visibly wrong. Adding
The first line of defense in avoiding bacteriala UV system can solve a recurring problem or act as
contamination of your well is to ensure that it wasadded peace of mind. Remember, whatever road you
constructed properly, and that it has been maintainedtake, there is no substitute for frequent water testing
as required. The most critical part of well constructionto ensure your well water is always safe to drink.
and maintenance is to strive to keep all surface water