Bacteria and Cysts

Chlorination

Ultraviolet Sterilization

Ozone Treatment

NSF Certified Drinking Water Systems

If you are experiencing or suspect bacterial contamination of your water source and you are on a private water system, such as a well or spring, and you wish our technical staff to quote you a solution, it is important to suppy us with an accurate water analysis. You should also fill out an online technical request form so one of our water technicians can assist you in recommending a solution.

NOTE: Currently, the only systems we carry that are NSF certified for cyst (a form of a parasite) removal are drinking water, point-of-use systems. We can supply non-certified whole house or larger flow cyst filters and disinfection systems if you know the specific contaminant you are trying to remove, on a case by case basis, and your application does not require a State certified or NSF certified system. You can see a list of the cartridges we carry that are rated (but not NSF certified) for cyst removal, by entering the word "cyst" into the product search engine above.

For thorough disinfection of private water supplies we generally recommend automatic chlorination systems, primarily due to the fact with chlorine, its easy to measure a residual in the water, thereby insuring proper and lasting disinfection of the water.

Still, many people do not like to use chlorine for taste and odor concerns, or because of chlorine by-products which can form in chlorinated water. Ultraviolet sterilization works very well, if the system is installed directly at the point of use, or point of entry into the home or building, and the water is very clear, and low in turbidity. Ozone also works well, given the proper sizing of the system, the contact time of the ozone with the water, and design of the ozone reactor.

The coliform group of bacteria, one form of which lives in the intestines of all mammals, and another form that is widely distributed in the natural environment, is used as an indicator of the suitability of water for domestic and potable uses. If coliform is detected, an additional test is performed to see if the coliform is fecal or non-fecal.

Generally, non-fecal coliform detection, means that the water has been exposed to surface run-off and that surface water is contaminating the water source. If the type of coliform is fecal, which can be pathogenic, then the water source has been contaminated by a septic system, or other fecal run-off either from animals or humans.

We find most surface waters (creeks, ponds, rivers) in our area test positive for coliforms, and frequently test positive for e-coli or fecal coliform also. Most ground waters however do not test positive for coliforms, and if coliforms are present, then the well seal may be cracked or broken, or the well may be below a flood level, and allow surface waters to penetrate and contaminate the ground water.

Other bacteria in water, sometimes referred to as heterotrophic, can exist without causing disease, but typically high levels of these bacteria are used as an indicator of microbial growth.