Coliform Bacteria
Coliform bacteria are rod shaped bacteria connected with the colon of warm-blooded animals. Coliform bacteria are useful indicator organisms because their presence in food or water indicate poor sanitary conditions.
Tools & Resources
check markFind your private well water testing requirements by county.
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Find your private well water testing requirements by county.
test tubeFind certified labs to analyze water samples.
test tube
Find certified labs to analyze water samples.
bar graphInterpret drinking, livestock, & irrigation water test results.
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Interpret drinking, livestock, & irrigation water test results.
Common Pollutants
Pollutants enter our water systems through various means, many of which come from common household substances.
Heavy Metals
Heavy metals are elements found in water that can be detrimental to human health. Learn more about the associated health risks and treatment options.
Testing Your Drinking Water
There are many options for testing the quality of your drinking water. Water in public systems is tested every year and data is compiled into a Consumer Confidence Report, which discloses any contaminants, possible health effects, and information about the water's source. These are completed by local health departments and water districts. Private systems do not fall under the same regulations, so it is up to the owner to test the water.
Find Your Consumer Confidence Report
Does My Drinking Water Need Testing?
There are various reasons to require professional testing of a drinking water system. Common ways of identifying a need include taste, smell, a recurring illness.
Protect Your Well
Approximately 15% of Americans get their drinking water from private wells. These wells, which tap into local groundwater, are designed to provide clean, safe drinking water. Improperly constructed, or poorly maintained wells, can create a pathway for fertilizers, bacteria, pesticides or other materials to enter the water supply.
Well Protection Basics
Over 23 million households in the United States rely on privately owned wells to supply their drinking water.
Water Treatment
There are many options to improve the quality of your drinking water whether you are part of a public or private system. These include the use of water filters and faucet aerators, as well as routine maintenance of household plumbing and water heaters.
Drinking Water Treatment
There are many options to treat contaminated water. Each option addresses different water quality problems. Learn more about various options on the market today.