What do I do if my drinking water tests positive for coliform bacteria?
When a drinking water sample is positive for coliform bacteria, the water should then be tested for Eschericia coli (E. coli) or fecal coliforms. Drinking water samples analyzed by HETL for total coliform bacteria are automatically checked for E. coli. Public water systems are required to collect additional samples to confirm the positive water tests. Private well owners should consider collecting additional samples to insure the samples were collected properly. If a water test for E. coli or fecal coliforms is positive, the water is not safe to drink! The water should first be boiled for at least one minute or disinfected. See “How can drinking water be disinfected?” What are the health risks of drinking water positive for E. coli and fecal coliforms? Consuming water containing E. coli and fecal coliforms can cause intestinal upset as well as diseases such as dysentery, hepatitis, and giardiasis. IMPORTANT: If your water was positive for coliforms and the water was not tested by the l
