Mycoplasma Bacteria in Well Water: Health Risks, Hidden Dangers, and Effective Removal Strategies
Private well owners rely on the quality of their groundwater for safe and clean drinking water. While many are familiar with common contaminants such as coliform bacteria, nitrates, or heavy metals, fewer are aware of Mycoplasma —a genus of bacteria that can be present in well water and pose serious health risks. What makes Mycoplasma particularly insidious is its ability to hide in biofilms within household plumbing, making it difficult to detect and eradicate without targeted treatment. What Are Mycoplasma Bacteria? Mycoplasma are a group of bacteria lacking a cell wall, which makes them unique among prokaryotes. This structural difference renders them resistant to many conventional antibiotics (such as penicillin) that target bacterial cell walls. Common species include Mycoplasma pneumoniae , which causes respiratory infections, and Mycoplasma hominis , associated with urogenital infections. Although typically transmitted via person-to-person contact, Mycoplasma have been d...