Testing for water safety, for drinking and showering.
Water Quality Tests • Is Your Well Water Safe to Drink?
We check for the following well water contaminants:
- E. coli (Escherichia coli)
- Total Coliforms
Our samples are submitted to a state certified laboratory which tests for the presence of Escherichia Coli (e. Coli) and Total Coliforms.
Testing well water for E. coli (Escherichia coli)
E. coli (Escherichia coli) is the name of a germ, or bacterium, that lives in the digestive tracts of humans and animals. You get an E. coli infection by coming into contact with the feces, or stool, of humans or animals. This can happen when you drink water or eat food that has been contaminated by feces. Visit WebMD’s E. coli overview page for more information on this subject.
Testing well water for Total coliforms
Total coliforms are a group of closely related bacteria that are (with few exceptions) not harmful to humans. Because total coliforms are common inhabitants of ambient water and may be injured by environmental stresses (e.g., lack of nutrients) and water treatment (e.g., chlorine disinfection) in a manner similar to many pathogens, EPA considers them a useful indicator of these pathogens. Health problems associated with these pathogens include diarrhea, cramps, nausea and vomiting. Together these symptoms comprise a general category known as gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is not usually serious for a healthy person, but it can lead to more serious problems for people with weakened immune systems, such as the very young, elderly, or immuno-compromised. Visit the EPA’s site for more information on bacteria, parasites, and viruses which can get into our drinking water.
Water Quality Tests & Recommended Practices
The Environmental Protection Agency has regulations in place that protect public drinking water systems, however, there are no rules in place to protect privately owned wells. As an individual water systems owner, it is up to you to make sure that your water is safe to drink. The EPA recommends that homeowners have their water tested annually to ensure the quality of your water.
A Water Quality Indicator Test (WQI) measures the presence of contaminants, such as Total Coliforms and E. Coli. In most cases, the presence of such contaminants is not cause for sickness. However, they may indicate the presence of sewage and other disease causing bacteria in your water.
It is a good idea to have water tested once a year if you have people with weakened immune systems, such as young or elderly, living in your home.
It is also a good idea to check your well casing frequently for any damage, such as holes due to corrosion or cracks, that can allow bacteria to enter your water.
Monticello Pump Service offers Water Quality Testing through state certified laboratories.
If you spot damage to the well casing, we recommend having it repaired as soon as possible to avoid contamination.
QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR WATER QUALITY?
CALL (703) 241-1673 & (800) 462-1333
Well Chlorination and Disinfection
Disinfection can be a physical or chemical process in which harmful organisms are deactivated or killed. Chlorine is an example of a chemical disinfectant. Ultraviolet light is an example of a physical disinfectant.
If your water has recently tested positive for bacteria, Monticello Pump Service offers Well Chlorination and de-chlorination as part of our Water Quality Service. We also offer a “Do-It-Yourself” well chlorination guide with easy to follow step-by-step instructions to save you money.
Click here for Free well chlorination & de-chlorination instructions (don’t use Clorox®).
Well Water Benefits
Now that we’ve talked a lot about the risks and the importance of having your well water tested regularly as a precaution, did you know there are some very good benefits to well water?
- Well water is naturally filtered of harmful bacteria and other organisms as it travels through the soil underground on it’s way to a sub-surface aquifer where your well finds it.
- Ground water sources are usually protected by hundreds of feet of soil so the water is usually safe to drink right from the aquifer.
What Our Customers are Saying
We are so grateful to Monticello for all of the services they’ve provided to us. …we have had to replace our well-pump… Jason did all of the repair work and he was a consummate professional. Monticello was also prompt in providing information to our home insurance company which facilitated a quick claim on our end.
Suddenly our water went totally dead–so we knew it was the pump or the control inside the house. Monticello installed it 7 years ago, so we called them. They were extremely helpful right from the start, showing me how to try various things to restore the water without a visit (and a charge)..”all of the services they’ve provided to us. …we have had to replace our well-pump… Jason did all of the repair work and he was a consummate professional. Monticello was also prompt in providing information to our home insurance company which facilitated a quick claim on our end.
Paul at Monticello is the perfect example of what is great customer service and what it means to be a truly good human being. Not only is Paul extremely knowledgeable about sump pumps but he is extremely patient and fair. I highly recommend this business and working with Paul if you ever have any sump pump related issues. I can’t thank you enough, Paul!!
Called Monticello at 4:20AM Super Bowl Sunday and the phone was answered by Paul the owner. Clearly I woke him from a dead sleep but he immediately worked with me over the phone to determine why I did not have water. He spent at least 45 minutes working me through diagnosing the problem which ended up being a loose fuse, the best we could determine. He refused to take any payment for his help which I would have gladly paid. He could have scheduled a service call which he felt was not necessary, he said he just wanted to get the water back on for my family. In todays world so few Company’s and people exist that would do something like this that it shocks you. Thank you Paul!!!!!
I had Monticello install a constant water pressure system into my house on a Saturday afternoon. It only took the crew five hours to install. I am so happy I went with the upgrade because now I can take a shower using my body massage shower, you can definitely feel a 100% improvement in the water pressure.
Wonderful gentleman. Troubleshooted and walked me through my well water problem. I highly recommend using them for all of your well issues. Excellent customer service. Very personal. Highly professional. Could have charged me for an emergency call out. He called me back 3 times to verify that all systems were up and running.
My house is on a well and Monticello installed a constant pressure system. Now when we take showers or use the hose outside, the water pressure is unbelievable.
I use Monticello for all my well water needs. They are very polite, professional and on time.
I woke up one morning with no water, someone over the phone at Monticello Pump Service walked me step by step in trying to get my water back for me and it worked. After I was done speaking to Monticello I had my water back on and was up and running again.