HomeMy WebLinkAboutSAM-05-2022-170924.TIF North Carolina Division of Public Health
Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Epidemiology Section
BIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS REPORT
Private well water information and recommendations
County: Catawba Name: Gale Merique Sample ID Number: 170924
Location: 1336 Billings Dr, Hickory NC 28602 Reviewer: Megen McBride
Initial Sample X Confirmation Sample:
BIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USES OF YOUR
PRIVATE WELL WATER(These recommendations are based on biological analysis only.)
No coliform bacteria were found in your well water. Your water can be used for all purposes
including drinking, cooking, washing dishes, bathing and showering.
X Total coliform bacteria were detected in your water sample. Total Coliform are a group of related
bacteria that are(with few exceptions) not harmful to humans. A variety of bacteria, parasites,and
viruses, known as pathogens,can potentially cause health problems if humans ingest them. EPA considers
total coliforms a useful indicator of other pathogens for drinking water.Total coliforms are used to
determine the adequacy of water treatment and the integrity of the distribution system
It is recommended that your well water be re-tested to verify that the result is accurate.
Fecal coliform bacteria were detected in the sample. Do not use the water for drinking,
cooking,washing dishes,bathing or showering.
If the re-test shows contamination by bacteria contact your local health department for assistance. There
may be a problem with the construction of the well,the groundwater source, or operation of the well. The
well needs to be inspected by the local health department or a local well contractor to determine the
problem with the well and to give guidance on how to correct the problem.
Your well water was tested for biological contaminants(total coliform and fecal coliform bacteria).The
results were evaluated using the federal drinking water standards.
Drinking water may contain substances that can occur naturally in water or can be introduced into water
from man-made sources.Total coliform bacteria are found in soil and fecal coliform bacteria are found in
animal and human waste. Total coliform or fecal coliform bacteria in well water indicate that the well
may have structural problems or that the well was not properly disinfected.
If you have been drinking the well water and are pregnant, nursing, have a child in the household under 5
years of age, or immunocompromised (such as an individual with AIDS, cancer, hepatitis, dialysis or
surgical procedures) inform your physician of these results at your next visit.
If the contamination continues,you should investigate the possibility of drilling a new well or installing a
point-of-entry disinfection unit which can use chlorine, ultraviolet light,or ozone.
For further information please contact your county health department or the Occupational and
Environmental Epidemiology Branch at 919-707-5900.
ram. -
Total Coliform
Bacteria, E. coli &
PRIVATE WELLS
What are total coliform bacteria 1/4
and E. coli? ,-•
Total coliform bacteria are a group of microorganisms found +
in soil and surface water.Total coliform bacteria water tests
look at all coliform bacteria in water.This includes fecal
coliform bacteria,which are a group of bacteria found in the -ziemommommil
intestines and feces of animals and humans.
E.coli or Escherichia coli is a type of fecal coliform bacteria.
There are many strains of E.coli. When should I be concerned
about coliform bacteria or E. coli?
How does coliform bacteria and You should be concerned if coliform bacteria or E.coli are
E. coli get in my private well water? present in your well water.
Rain may wash coliform bacteria or E.coli from soil on The NC Department of Environmental Quality
the surface to groundwater.Coliform bacteria or E.coli developed a groundwater standard of 1 colony of
can also enter your water if your private well is poorly coliform bacteria in 100 milliliters of water(colonies/
constructed,cracked or unsealed. mL).Ground water standards are developed to protect
public health.This standard was developed in 2013.
How can coliform bacteria The US Environmental Protection Agency requires
follow up testing and treatment when coliform bacteria
or E. coli affect my health? or E.coli is found in any public water supply system across
Most coliform bacteria and E.coli strains will not make you the country.Public drinking water guidance are based on
sick.The presence of some types of coliform bacteria in the public health protection and cost of treatment/testing at
water signal the presence of feces or sewage waste. Feces large utilities.These rules were established in 1989 and
and sewage wastes are usually the source of the disease- updated in 2014.
causing organisms.
Total coliform bacteria and E.coli water tests are used as How do I test for total coliform
indicators for the presence of disease-causing organisms. bacteria or E. coli in my
The following are some disease-causing organisms or private well?
pathogens that could be present in your water:
• Bacteria that cause diarrhea and vomiting, Use a certified lab to test your well water for coliform
• Protozoa that cause dysentery, bacteria and E.coli every year.Contact the private well
• Viruses that cause polio and hepatitis,and program at your county health department to assist you
• Helminths,such as roundworms and tapeworms, with getting your water tested.Pricing of testing varies
that cause chronic diarrhea. from county to county.
Percent of Private Wells Tested Ai eri�G 1- ,_ �r `� `
With Detection of E. coli, 2011-2013 i �
artricioNdklogiitivra, 1 IL 111
4.1116 _411tit
s ft.�,r
Percent of Private Wells Tested With 1� ■ 7
Detection of Total Coliform, 2011-2013 !" _ Nor AFAR %--I �`
>50%with detection L�� 4,-
. . --11.14Wiliati, t
- _
-25.1-50%with detection
<25%with detection r. lyil '
0%with detection ■
Insufficient data(<10 wells tested)
What if total coliform bacteria Where can I find more
or E. coli levels are present? information about total coliform
Shock chlorination is a method to remove bacteria bacteria, E. coli and my well?
contamination in private wells.If contamination persist Visit the NC Division of Public Health's Private Well and
you can install a treatment system to reduce the levels Health Program website:http://epi.publichealth,nc,gov/
of bacteria in your private well.Treatment systems that oee/programs/wellwater.html.
reduce the level of bacteria in your well water include:
• Ultraviolet(UV)filtration treatment system There you can find:
• Contacts for your county private well program
You can also reduce your exposure by using bottled water • Total coliform bacteria or E.coli in well water maps
or connecting to public water supply,if possible. • A guide for selecting a treatment system
• Other private well resources
Where are total coliform bacteria You can also call the Private Well and Health Program
and E. coli found in NC? at 919-707-5900.
Coliform bacteria are detected throughout NC.About 26%
of wells sampled for microbial contamination in NC from Where did this information come
2011 to 2013 tested positive for coliform bacteria.Yet, from?
there are several areas in NC with at least 50%of wells with
coliform bacteria present.See map for areas with high Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:www.cdc.gov/
coliform bacteria detections. healthywater/drinking/private/wells/disease/e coli.html
E.coli is detected throughout NC.About 2%of wells Environmental Protection Agency:httos://safewater.
sampled for microbial contamination in NC from 2011 to zendesk.com/hc/en-us/sections/203309158-E-coli-0157-H7-
2013 tested positive for E.coli.Yet,there are several areas National Sanitation Foundation:www.nsf.org/consumer-
in NC with at least 25%of wells with E.coli present.See resources/water-quality/water-filters-testing-treatment/
map for areas with high E.coli detections. contaminant-reduction-claims-guide
NC Department of Health and Human Services•Division of Public Health•Epidemiology Section•Occupational and Environmental
; t I I; Epidemiology Branch•Private Well and Health Program•httos://eoioublichealth.ncaov/oee/oroarams/wellwater.html•NCDHHS is ani
Nom,c..d.., equal opportunity employer and provider.•09/2019
Puhhe Health