No one wants to do this twice a year. So, inspect your wellhead. The concrete cap should be intact, and the casing should stick out at least 12 inches above ground level. If it’s buried under mud or leaves, dig it out. That’s a coliform invitation.
How to Treat Coliform Bacteria in Well Water
Also, check for any standing water within 50 feet of the well. A tiny puddle from the dog’s water bowl? Fine. A flooded garden hose? Gross. And for heaven’s sake, don’t store chemicals, manure, or dead batteries near the well. It’s not a shelf—it’s your drinking straw.
When to Just Give Up and Call a Pro
Look, some of us enjoy playing amateur plumber (raises hand). But if your well is older than your first VHS tape, or if the coliform returns after two treatments, hire a water well professional. They have fancy cameras that peek inside the casing and can spot issues you can’t. It’s expensive, yes. But so is diarrhea—pick your poison.
One final, ironic truth: even after you treat the well, the water might still taste a bit “bleachy” for a week. That’s okay. It’s the taste of victory. Go ahead, pour yourself a glass, toast to modern sanitation, and pretend you’re a hardy homesteader. Just don’t forget to retest next season. Your gut is a delicate flower—treat it like one.
P.S. If you’re pregnant, immunocompromised, or have tiny humans crawling around, don’t DIY this for long. Boil water or use a certified filter until the test comes back clean. Your inner survivalist can wait.
