COLIFORM “PRESENT” - How to Fix it - Coliform bacteria do not occur naturally in most aquifers. Fractured or creviced bedrock aquifers that are close to the surface are the exception. Be aware that there are three different groups of coliform bacteria; total coliform, fecal coliform and Escherichia coli (E. coli) each has a different level of risk. Keep in mind that coliform bacteria do not always show up in every sample. They can be sporadic and sometimes seasonal when they occur in a water supply. If your water is contaminated with coliform but not fecal coliform or E. coli, don't panic. You have a nuisance bacteria problem and the source may be infiltration from the surface from rain or snow melt. Typical causes are improperly sealed well cap, well repairs performed without disinfecting the well, failed grouting or surface drainage to the well. If your well had coliform bacteria present you should shock chlorinate the well, repack the soil around the well pipe to flow away from the well and replace the well cap. Then after at least two weeks and the next big rainstorm retest the well for coliform. If coliform bacteria is still present then a long-term treatment should be implemented: using UV light, ozonation, or chlorine for continuous disinfection. Coliform bacteria are commonly found in soil, on vegetation, and in surface water. Some coliform bacteria strains can survive in soil and water for long periods of time. Coliform bacteria will not likely cause illness.

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Coliform “PRESENT”

How to Fix it

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Coliform bacteria do not occur naturally in most aquifers. Fractured or creviced bedrock aquifers that are close to the surface are the exception. Be aware that there are three different groups of coliform bacteria; total coliform, fecal coliform and Escherichia coli (E. coli) each has a different level of risk. Keep in mind that coliform bacteria do not always show up in every sample. They can be sporadic and sometimes seasonal when they occur in a water supply.

Elizabeth Ward

 

This spring in the well water clinic we run each year we found 25 wells out of 114 that had coliform "PRESENT."

On a state level, the occurrence of coliform is higher.

Of the approximately 7,000 households that participated in the Virginia Household Water Quality Program clinics from 2007 to 2015 they found that 41% of the wells had coliform bacteria, and 9% had E. coli bacteria.

Though the 7,000 households may not be representative of all private drinking water wells in Virginia, it is the largest database on private drinking water wells available.

It is safe to say that coliform contamination is widespread. 

If your water is contaminated with coliform but not fecal coliform or E. coli, don't panic.

You have a nuisance bacteria problem and the source may be infiltration from the surface from rain or snow melt.

Typical causes are improperly sealed well cap, well repairs performed without disinfecting the well, failed grouting or surface drainage to the well.

If your well had coliform bacteria present you should shock chlorinate the well, repack the soil around the well pipe to flow away from the well and replace the well cap.

Then after at least two weeks and the next big rainstorm retest the well for coliform.

If coliform bacteria is still present then a long-term treatment should be implemented: using UV light, ozonation, or chlorine for continuous disinfection.

These systems can cost up to $2,000 installed.

If your well test PRESENT for coliform standard protocol is:

1.    Carefully check the well and water system for points of contamination. Make sure you have a sound and secured sanitary well cap and that the soil around the well is packed to drain water away from the well. 

2.    Then treat the well and plumbing system with chlorine for 12-24 hours to disinfect system (the 12-24 hours is essential). Then flush the chlorine from the system- not to your septic system. Make sure that this is done correctly. 

3.    Retest the water after the chlorine has left the system in about 10 days to two weeks. If coliform bacteria is “ABSENT” you’re done. If not, then it is time to install a long term disinfection system. (UV light or continuous chlorination)

In an existing well system that formerly was bacteria free look for these defects:

·          A missing or defective well cap and check seals around wires, pipes, and where the cap meets the casing may be cracked, letting in contaminants. 

·         Contaminant seepage through the well casing - cracks or holes in the well casing allow water that has not been filtered through the soil to enter the well. This seepage is common in the wells made of concrete, clay tile, or brick. This can also happen to a steel pipe well that was hit by a piece of equipment such as a car, snow blower, lawn tractor or mower or that has rusted. 

·         Contaminant seeping along the outside of the well casing - many older wells were not sealed with grout when they were constructed or the grouting has failed. Check the grouting carefully especially if water seems different after severe rains. 

·         Well flooding - a common problem for wellheads located below the ground in frost pits that frequently flood during wet weather. 

Coliform bacteria are commonly found in soil, on vegetation, and in surface water.

Some coliform bacteria strains can survive in soil and water for long periods of time. Coliform bacteria will not likely cause illness.

Coliform bacteria do not occur naturally in most aquifers. Fractured or creviced bedrock aquifers that are close to the surface are the exception.

Be aware that there are three different groups of coliform bacteria; total coliform, fecal coliform and Escherichia coli (E. coli) each has a different level of risk.

If your water is contaminated with coliform but not fecal coliform or E. coli, then you have a nuisance bacteria problem.

Bacteria washed into the ground by rainfall or snowmelt are usually filtered out as water seeps through the soil, so properly constructed water wells do not typically harbor Coliform bacteria.

However, coliform bacteria can persist within slime formed by naturally occurring ground water microorganisms.

The slime (or biofilm) clings to the well screen, casing, drop pipe, and pump and may even invade filter systems.

Disturbances during pumping or well maintenance can cause the slime to dislodge, releasing the coliform bacteria.

Keep in mind that coliform bacteria do not always show up in every sample. They can be sporadic and sometimes seasonal when they occur in a water supply.

You should not continue drinking water contaminated with coliform, either boil the water drink bottled water until you disinfect your well.

Bring the water to a rolling boil for one to five minutes (the higher the elevation the more time is necessary) to kill the bacteria.

You may also want to consider using bottled water as a temporary drinking and cooking water source.

You may have received a total coliform count. This gives you a general indication of the sanitary condition of a water supply and extent of the problem.

Bacteria can be introduced into a new well during construction and can remain if the water system is not thoroughly disinfected and flushed.

Well construction defects such as insufficient well casing depth, improper sealing of the space between the well casing and the borehole, corroded or cracked well casings, and poor well seals or caps can allow surface water or insects to carry coliform bacteria into the well.

These problems are common and the most likely source of the coliform bacteria contamination.

Unplugged abandoned wells can also carry coliform bacteria into deeper aquifers.

Since bacterial contamination cannot be detected by taste, smell, or sight, all drinking water wells should be tested at least annually for Coliform bacteria.

Elizabeth Ward was awarded an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and an MS ChE from NYU Tandon School of Engineering, worked as a chemical engineer for both the US EPA in DC, and at DuPont before working in finance and then becoming consultant with Washington Advisors and is the author of "The Lenders Guide to Developing an Environmental Risk Management Program." Elizabeth retired from Washington Advisors and began her volunteer career and served 10 years as the Treasurer of the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District.

https://greenrisks.blogspot.com/2018/05/coliform-present-steps-to-take.html

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VIRUSES IN DRINKING WATER - Viruses are the cause of 50% of groundwater-related diseases worldwide. Contact with fecal matter from humans, livestock or wildlife can contribute viruses to water. This can come from sources such as leaky sewer lines or improperly functioning septic systems, or where manure or unsterilized sewage sludge is present in agricultural areas. Municipal sewer systems are often bypassed during high-rainfall - this can result in raw sewage entering streams, which in turn can affect water supplies downstream. Well water should be checked for coliform bacteria to see if it is at risk for contamination by sewage or fecal matter, which may contain viruses that can infect humans. Water-borne diseases are a common problem throughout the world, especially where disinfection of drinking water is not used. Many people have heard of “traveler’s diarrhea,” where a traveler gets sick from drinking the local water. This is usually caused by a virus in the water. Viruses are very small parasites (ranging in size from 0.000010 to 0.000025 millimeters or between 0.1 and 0.004 micron) that can take over individual cells in their host and use them to reproduce themselves. Viruses are the cause of 50% of groundwater-related diseases worldwide. Even in the U.S., it is common for well water to be contaminated with viruses. Contact with fecal matter from humans, livestock or wildlife can contribute viruses to water.

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Viruses in Drinking Water

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Viruses are the cause of 50% of groundwater-related diseases worldwide. Contact with fecal matter from humans, livestock or wildlife can contribute viruses to water. This can come from sources such as leaky sewer lines or improperly functioning septic systems, or where manure or unsterilized sewage sludge is present in agricultural areas. Municipal sewer systems are often bypassed during high-rainfall - this can result in raw sewage entering streams, which in turn can affect water supplies downstream. Well water should be checked for coliform bacteria to see if it is at risk for contamination by sewage or fecal matter, which may contain viruses that can infect humans. 

filterwater.com

 

Water-borne diseases are a common problem throughout the world, especially where disinfection of drinking water is not used.

Many people have heard of “traveler’s diarrhea,” where a traveler gets sick from drinking the local water.

This is usually caused by a virus in the water. Viruses are very small parasites (ranging in size from 0.000010 to 0.000025 millimeters or between 0.1 and 0.004 micron) that can take over individual cells in their host and use them to reproduce themselves.

Viruses are the cause of 50% of groundwater-related diseases worldwide. Even in the U.S., it is common for well water to be contaminated with viruses.

Contact with fecal matter from humans, livestock or wildlife can contribute viruses to water.

This can come from sources such as leaky sewer lines or improperly functioning septic systems, or where manure or unsterilized sewage sludge is present in agricultural areas.

Such areas can include feedlots or barnyards, manure storage areas, pastures or rangelands, and places where manure or sewage sludge is applied to the ground.

Municipal sewer systems are often bypassed during high-rainfall events when the flow of sewage is greater than the ability of treatment systems to handle it.

This can result in raw sewage entering streams, which in turn can affect water supplies downstream.

Well water should be checked for coliform bacteria to see if it is at risk for contamination by sewage or fecal matter, which may contain viruses that can infect humans. 

If your water supply is contaminated with coliform bacteria, it may also be contaminated with other harmful organisms such as protozoa or worms, which can cause health problems such dysentery, vomiting and chronic diarrhea.

Viruses can be killed or deactivated by chlorination or boiling of water.

In most private well water systems and even some municipal water supplies, the water is not disinfected. Viruses can persist in non-disinfected water and infect humans.

Health Effects Associated with Viruses in Drinking Water

Enteric viruses are a type of virus that infects the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals and are excreted in their feces.

One common type of virus that infects humans through drinking water is rotaviruses.

These viruses cause stomach flu (gastroenteritis), especially in children.

In fact, rotaviruses are the main cause of stomach flu in children and “traveler’s diarrhea” in adults.

 “Rotaviruses are the main cause of stomach flu in children and ‘traveler’s diarrhea’ in adults.”

Another common enteric virus that is spread through infected drinking water is Hepatitis A.

During the most contagious stage of this illness, the victim usually shows no sign of infection, making it difficult to prevent spreading the germs.

The virus is excreted from the infected person, then it is carried by water.

Hepatitis A causes inflammation of the liver, low energy, weakness, nausea, fever or jaundice.

Mild cases of Hepatitis A require rest for one or two weeks, and severe cases may cause liver damage or death.

Other common viruses that infect drinking water are noroviruses, which cause gastroenteritis, and enteroviruses, which cause polio and non-polio related diseases.

Most people with polio either do not get sick or experience minor symptoms, but permanent damage to muscle function in the legs or arms occurs in rare cases (the U.S. has been polio-free since 1979, but it still exists in some other parts of the world).

Non-polio enteroviruses are one of the largest sources of viral infections in humans.

Most infections do not result in symptoms, but people that do become ill from these viruses usually develop cold or flu-like symptoms.

Interesting fact: There are about one million virus particles in one milliliter of seawater.

For drinking water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has set a maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) for viruses of zero virus particles per 100 milliliter sample of municipal water.

The MCLG is the level at which no adverse health risks are likely to occur, with an adequate margin of safety, meaning that no virus particles should be present in the water.

How to Treat Drinking Water for Viruses

Problems with infected well water can often be fixed by taking measures to prevent surface water from contaminating the water supply, such as sealing a spring box or using a sanitary well cap.

Properly maintaining a septic system or controlling sources of animal waste near a well or spring may also help with the problem.

Boiling water at a rolling boil for one minute will safely kill all viruses and other infectious organisms, but this is not a good long-term solution because it is energy and labor intensive and only produces a small amount of water.

If the source of infection to the water supply cannot be controlled, drinking water contaminated with viruses and infectious organisms can be treated continuously by ultraviolet (UV) light, ozonation, or chlorination.

Ultraviolet disinfection works by killing viruses and other infectious organisms by exposing them to ultraviolet (UV) light. In this type of system, UV light kills viruses and other organisms by irradiating the water as it flows over a glass sleeve that contains the light source.

This method of disinfection consumes a small but significant amount of electricity.

It is important that the water be very clear so that the UV light can reach the viruses, so anything that would make the water less than perfectly clear (such as sediment or organic matter) must be filtered out before the water enters the light chamber.

Likewise, the glass sleeve enclosing the light source must also be kept clear of scale or other deposits that would block the light.

In contrast with UV, a chlorination system kills viruses and other microorganisms chemically.

This type of system continuously adds chlorine (in liquid or solid form) to the water through a feed system. Because sediment in the water could interfere with disinfection, a filter should be placed before the chlorine injector.

Chlorine is consumed as it kills viruses and other organisms in the water and also as it reacts with other impurities (such as iron or organic matter).

To ensure adequate disinfection, enough chlorine needs to be added so that there is a small amount left over after it is consumed.

However, this residual chlorine can affect the taste of the water, so it may be desirable to remove it before drinking.

Chlorination also requires a certain amount of contact time for it to kill microorganisms (usually 30 minutes).

This is why water is often stored in a large holding tank or run through a series of coiled pipes after being chlorinated.

Chlorine systems must be maintained to ensure that they function properly, and the chlorine supply must be replenished periodically.

Ozonation is similar to chlorination in that ozone is injected into the water and kills viruses and other organisms.

Ozone is an oxidizing gas that is produced using electricity and then injected into the water.

Ozonation systems are more costly than UV or chlorination systems, but they can treat water for multiple contaminants, such as viruses, bacteria, iron and manganese.

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CYANIDE IN WELL WATER - Cyanide is well-known as a poison - short-term health problems can include neurological effects such as rapid breathing and tremors. Long-term exposure to cyanide can cause nerve damage, thyroid problems, and weight loss. Cyanide can be removed from drinking water by reverse osmosis and ion exchange. Reverse osmosis works by forcing the water through a membrane that allows water molecules to pass through but blocks larger ions, such as ones associated with iron, lead and cyanide. Ion exchange filters work by removing cyanide ions by adsorbing them onto special resins - Cyanide is notorious in popular fiction as a deadly poison used for both homicide and suicide. This is based on a history of actual malicious use of its highly toxic properties, including the use of cyanide in chemical weapons in World War I. Humans can tolerate low-levels of exposure to cyanide, and not all compounds containing cyanide are toxic. Cyanide is a toxic ion that contains both carbon and nitrogen. It occurs naturally in many different plants and is contained in many types of food, including several vegetables commonly eaten in the U.S. It is often associated with industrial activity such as metal finishing, steel mills, and ore refining. Cyanide has also been used in pesticides. Cyanide tend to migrate easily through soils under certain chemical conditions, and cyanide may leach into groundwater.

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Cyanide in Well Water

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Cyanide is well-known as a poison - short-term health problems can include neurological effects such as rapid breathing and tremors. Long-term exposure to cyanide can cause nerve damage, thyroid problems, and weight loss. Cyanide can be removed from drinking water by reverse osmosis and ion exchange. Reverse osmosis works by forcing the water through a membrane that allows water molecules to pass through but blocks larger ions, such as ones associated with iron, lead and cyanide. Ion exchange filters work by removing cyanide ions by adsorbing them onto special resins

FilterWater.com

 

Cyanide is notorious in popular fiction as a deadly poison used for both homicide and suicide.

This is based on a history of actual malicious use of its highly toxic properties, including the use of cyanide in chemical weapons in World War I.

However, humans can tolerate low-levels of exposure to cyanide, and not all compounds containing cyanide are toxic.

“Cyanide compounds tend to migrate easily through soils under certain chemical conditions, and cyanide may leach into groundwater.”

Cyanide is a toxic ion that contains both carbon and nitrogen.

It occurs naturally in many different plants and is contained in many types of food, including several vegetables commonly eaten in the U.S.

It is often associated with industrial activity such as metal finishing, steel mills, and ore refining.

Billions of tons of cyanide are produced each year through industrial processes. Cyanide has also been used in pesticides.

Cyanide compounds tend to migrate easily through soils under certain chemical conditions, and cyanide may leach into groundwater.

Cyanide can contaminate groundwater from a number of different types of sources, such as industrial use of cyanides, cyanide wastes leaching from landfills, cyanide-containing pesticides, and even cyanide-containing road salts.

Cyanide and Human Health

Cyanide is well-known as a poison, and a lethal does in humans is between 50 and 200 milligrams (mg).

In smaller doses, short-term health problems can include neurological effects such as rapid breathing and tremors.

Long-term exposure to cyanide can cause nerve damage, thyroid problems, and weight loss.

For drinking water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has set a maximum contaminant level (MCL) and maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) for cyanide of 0.2 milligrams per liter (mg/L or parts per million) in municipal water supplies.

The MCLG is the level of cyanide in drinking water at which no adverse health risks are likely to occur, with an adequate margin of safety.

Detection of cyanide in water requires chemical testing.

Interesting fact: Much of the cyanide that is produced is used for mining of gold and silver.

How to Remove Cyanide from Drinking Water

Cyanide can be removed from drinking water by reverse osmosis and ion exchange.

Reverse osmosis works by forcing the water through a membrane that allows water molecules to pass through but blocks larger ions, such as ones associated with iron, lead and cyanide.

Small reverse osmosis systems (called point-of-use systems) in homes are usually located near the kitchen sink.

Reverse osmosis systems are cost-effective, and originally were able to only produce a few gallons of treated water each day.

Recent advancements in membrane elements allow newer systems to produce 100 gallons or even more per day.

Keep in mind that the taste of the water can be affected by the removal of the minerals.

Ion exchange filters work by removing cyanide ions by adsorbing them onto special resins designed for removing cyanide.

This removal takes place in filter cartridges that may be part of point-of-use systems (near the kitchen sink), or it can take place in point-of-entry systems that treat all water entering the house.

The filters in filtration systems need to be replaced or regenerated periodically to maintain their effectiveness over time .

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