Bacteria in Your Well Water: What You Should Know and How to Keep Your Water Clean and Safe
If you get your drinking water from a private well, you already know how good it feels to have your own water source. But here’s the thing — your well water doesn’t get checked, treated, or maintained by anyone but you . One of the biggest risks to your water is something you can’t even see: bacteria . Let’s talk about the types of bacteria that can show up in well water (including some you might not expect), how they get into your well (sometimes thanks to bugs, mice, and even lawn mowers!), what tests you should run, and how to get rid of bacteria — including why a whole-house UV system might be worth it. What Kind of Bacteria Are We Talking About? Even if your water looks and tastes perfectly fine, bacteria might still be lurking. Here are some of the most common types that show up in wells: Coliform bacteria — These are the standard “red flag” bacteria. They aren’t always harmful themselves, but they let you know something’s wrong — like contamination from sur...