What is a high coliform count?

Coliforms count is a hygienic indicator and high level of coliform counts generally indicates unsanitary condition or poor hygiene practices during or after food production.

What causes high coliform count?

Coliforms are associated with fecal and environmental contamination. Counts of less than 50/ml should be the goal; <25 is achievable. There are no legal limits for raw milk, unless coliform cause the SPC to exceed 100,000/ml. Coliforms are associated with filth contamination (e.g., dirty cows) and dirty equipment.

What does a positive coliform test indicate?

A positive coliform test means possible contamination and a risk of waterborne disease. A confirmed positive test for fecal coliforms or E. coli means you need to take action as advised by your water system.

What are the effects of coliform bacteria in water?

Most coliform bacteria are not harmful. However, some can make you sick. A person that has been exposed to these bacteria may have an upset stomach, vomiting, fever, or diarrhea. Children and the elderly are more at risk from these bacteria.

What is a safe level of coliform in drinking water?

Regarding the primary drinking water standards or health based standards, the concentration of total coliform bacteria and E. coli should be Absent, Negative, or < 1 colony-forming unit per 100 mls ( cfu/100 ml).

What is a safe level of coliform in well water?

Publication No. 4: Bacteria in Private Drinking Water Wells The Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for bacteria in drinking water is zero total coliform colonies per 100 milliliters of water as established by the EPA.

How do you reduce coliform in water?

How Do I Remove Coliform Bacteria From My Drinking Water? The water can be treated using chlorine, ultraviolet treatment system or ozone, all of which act to kill or inactivate E. coli. Systems using surface water sources are required to disinfect to ensure that all bacterial contamination is inactivated, such as E.

Is it common to have coliform in well water?

Various types of Coliform live in the soil and even on surfaces in your home, but they do not occur naturally in groundwater. If Coliform bacteria (sometimes reported as Total Coliform) are found in your well water, it is an indication that disease-causing bacteria could get in the same way.

Why do I have coliform bacteria in my well?

Coliform can enter your well through groundwater, surface water run-off, cracked or broken well parts, poor construction, and leaking septic tanks. Coliform in your well water can mean there are disease-causing organisms such as E. coli.

Is it OK to have coliform in well water?

Most Coliform bacteria are harmless. If Coliform bacteria (sometimes reported as Total Coliform) are found in your well water, it is an indication that disease-causing bacteria could get in the same way.

How do you fix coliform bacteria in well water?

Shock chlorination is the process by which home water systems such as wells, springs, and cisterns are disinfected using household liquid bleach (or chlo- rine). Shock chlorination is the most widely recommended means of treating bacterial contamination in home water systems.

How do they fix well with coliform bacteria?

A Penn State study found that approximately 15 percent of wells with coliform bacteria could be treated by shock chlorinating the well and installing a sanitary well cap. This was especially true for wells that had small numbers of coliform bacteria (fewer than 10 colonies per 100 mL).