Understanding Coliform Bacteria and Safe Home® Test Kits
Coliform bacteria can cause serious health issues such as nausea and diarrhea when consumed by humans and some domestic animals. At Safe Home®, we offer multiple drinking water testing kits that check for total coliform bacteria in city water or well water supplies, ensuring your water is safe for consumption.
What is Total Coliform Bacteria?
Coliforms are a group of bacteria that are always present in the digestive tracts of animals, including humans and are found in their wastes. They are also found in plant and soil materials. Total coliform bacteria are common in the environment (soil or vegetation) and are generally harmless. If a lab detects only total coliform bacteria in a drinking water test kit, the source is probably environmental, and fecal contamination is unlikely. However, if environmental contamination enters the system, pathogens could get in too. Therefore, it is important to find and resolve the source of contamination with water testing.
Importance of Drinking Water Testing
Total coliform bacteria are relatively easy to identify and are usually present in larger numbers than more dangerous pathogens. Drinking water testing is the only reliable way to tell if bacteria are present in your water. You cannot tell by the look, taste, or smell of the water if disease-causing organisms are in it. Safe Home® offers two drinking water testing platforms for total coliform bacteria: Do-It-Yourself drinking water testing kits and Laboratory drinking water testing kits.
Health Effects of Coliform Bacteria
While most coliform bacteria do not cause disease, ingesting contaminated drinking water can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses, such as severe diarrhea, nausea, and possibly jaundice, along with headaches and fatigue. These symptoms can be more severe in young children and the elderly, who are usually more susceptible. The presence of coliform bacteria could also indicate more serious pathogens that could cause severe illness or death.
Solutions to Contaminant Levels
Coliform bacteria, including E. coli, can find their way into drinking water supplies, especially in private wells. It is recommended that owners of private wells perform drinking water testing 4-12 times a year based on the results of previous testing.
Here are some effective methods to remove bacteria from your drinking water:
- Shock Chlorination: This method is often used when coliform bacteria are introduced to well water or spring water from a temporary contamination event, such as heavy rain or the installation of a new submersible pump. Shock chlorination involves introducing a high concentration of chlorine into the water for a short time. After the treatment, retest the water within 10 to 14 days. If the follow-up tests were negative, the contamination was likely temporary. If the bacteria return, consider a continuous disinfection treatment system.
- Continuous Chlorination Systems: These systems inject a chlorine solution (sodium hypochlorite) or dry powder (calcium hypochlorite) into the water. Chlorinators use positive displacement feed pumps to meter the chlorine in the water, or they may use suction-type chlorinators or pellet droppers.
- Ultraviolet (UV) Light: UV light units are popular for disinfection because they do not add chemicals to the water. However, they are not recommended for water supplies where total coliform bacteria exceed 1,000 colony-forming units per 100 mL or fecal coliform bacteria exceed 100 colonies per 100 mL.
- Boiling Water: Boiling water for about one minute effectively kills bacteria. This method is frequently used during emergencies or while camping.
Safe Home® Drinking Water Testing Kits
Safe Home® offers two platforms for testing total coliform bacteria in drinking water:
- Do-It-Yourself Kits: These kits allow you to perform testing for coliform bacteria in the comfort of your home. They are perfect for regular monitoring and provide immediate results.
- Laboratory Kits: These kits allow you to collect your water sample and ship it directly to our EPA-Certified Laboratory. This option provides a comprehensive analysis of your water quality.
About Safe Home®
Welcome to Safe Home® Test Kits, your premier source for quick, reliable testing of your home’s environment. Our kits are produced by EnviroTestKits®, a division of Environmental Laboratories, Inc. (ELI) in Madison, IN, USA. Since 1983, ELI has been a leader in environmental testing, providing high-quality products at competitive prices with exceptional customer service.
At Safe Home®, our mission is to make a difference in people’s lives through science. We are committed to providing accurate and dependable testing kits that help keep you and your family safe from dangerous environmental contaminants. Our experienced staff uses the latest technologies and high-quality components to ensure accurate readings every time. We stand behind our products with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and prompt customer service.
Our extensive range of test kits covers water, surfaces, and air, ensuring that every aspect of your home’s environment is protected. From drinking water test kits to mold test kits lead and radon testing kits, Safe Home® offers comprehensive solutions to help you maintain a healthy living space.
Ensure the safety and health of your home environment with Safe Home’s comprehensive range of test kits. Whether you need a water test kit, mold test kit, radon testing kit, or any other testing solution, Safe Home® has you covered.
Contact Us:
Phone: 888-932-6699
Email: info@safehometestkits.com
