Water - Testing - Interpreting Your Test Results
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Interpreting Your Test Results
| Total Coliform Section |
E.coli
Section |
Interpretation |
| 0 - 5 |
0 |
Your water is safe for drinking |
| > or = 6 |
0 |
Your water is unsafe for drinking unless boiled |
| |
1 or higher |
Your water is unsafe for drinking unless boiled |
| est (estimate) |
est (estimate) |
Your water is unsafe for drinking unless boiled |
| o/g (overgrown) |
o/g (overgrown) |
The test was overgrown with non-coliform bacteria making the coliform result unclear
Your water is unsafe for drinking unless boiled |
| Total Coliform bacteria (TC) refers to bacteria that occur naturally in soil and decaying vegetation. They may also be associated with human or animal fecal contamination. In other words, they are in the dirt, manure and surface water we walk through everyday. |
| Coliform organisms do not normally grow in well water, because the water is cold (10°C or 50°F) and either alkaline or acidic (pH). The earth has the ability to filter bacteria out as the water moves through the ground. However, once allowed into the well, coliforms will survive for a long time. |
E. coli (Escherichia coli) are bacteria that are found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals like dogs, cats, birds and humans. E. coli is a member of the Coliform family of bacteria. Their presence in the well water may indicate fecal contamination from a human or animal source. There are numerous strains of these bacteria, some of which are very harmful.
E. coli 0157:H7 is a rare strain of these E. coli that is very toxic. Although it could be found in contaminated water, the presence of E. coli in your water sample does not mean that this toxic strain is present. |
EST.
Est. means that an estimate number of coliforms and or E. coli bacteria can only be made. There has been an overgrowth of bacteria on the filter media, but the lab is still able to see the growth of some coliforms or E. coli. The numbers are therefore estimated. |
Overgrowth!
O/G means that bacteria other than coliforms have overgrown the growth medium in the lab. These other bacteria may feed on iron, sulfur or some other dissolved mineral in the well water or debris that has fallen into the well. These bacteria may hide the presence of Coliform bacteria because they grow faster and bigger covering over the smaller colonies of bacteria on the filter media plate. |
| Do not drink your water if bacteria are present! |
For more information about your well water, contact a public health inspector:
EMAIL: webmaster@healthunit.org (It takes up to 48 hours for emails to be answered)
PHONE: Health ACTION Line 1-800-660-5853 and ask for a public health inspector for your area.
CALL A BRANCH OFFICE: http://www.healthunit.org/contact_us.htm |
