FIRST OF ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT COLIFORM IS A VERY COMMON BACTERIA WHICH IS EASIER TO TEST FOR THAN SOME HARMFUL TYPES OF BACTERIA.

THE OBJECT OF THE TEST IS TO MAKE SURE THE SOURCE OF YOUR WATER (THE WELL) IS BACTERIA FREE.

1. MAKE SURE YOUR WATER CONDITIONER IS ON BY-PASS

2. BE SURE THERE IS NO AERATOR (SCREEN) IN THE FAUCET FROM WHICH YOU ARE TAKING THE SAMPLE.

3. FLAME THE FAUCET SPOUT FOR 5-10 SECONDS WITH A CIGARETTE LIGHTER (PROVIDED THE MATERIALS IN THE FAUCET WILL NOT BE DAMAGED BY FLAME) TO KILL ANY BACTERIA THAT MAY BE LIVING THERE.

4. RUN THE COLD WATER FAUCET WHERE YOU WILL BE TAKING THE SAMPLE AT HALF SPEED FOR AT LEAST THIRTY MINUTES BEFORE TAKING THE SAMPLE. DO NOT TURN THE FAUCET UP OR DOWN UNTIL THE SAMPLE IS TAKEN. THIS STEP IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE BY TURNING THE FAUCET UP OR DOWN YOU CAN ACTUALLY GET BACTERIA FROM THE VALVE INTO THE WATER STREAM.

5. BE VERY CAREFUL HOW YOU HANDLE THE BOTTLE. IF YOU TOUCH THE LIP OF THE BOTTLE OR THE 

INSIDE OF THE CAP YOU CAN CONTAMINATE THE SAMPLE. DO NOT BREATHE DIRECTLY ON THE BOTTLE EITHER.

6. Keep sample refrigerated in a small cooler for an added measure and get it tested promptly! Don't give the bacteria time to grow.

7. IF YOU HAVE TAKEN IN MORE THAN ONE SAMPLE, ASK THE LAB IF THEY WILL GIVE YOU A BACTERIA COUNT SO YOU CAN TELL IF YOU ARE MAKING PROGRESS OR NOT.

8. IT IS NOT UNUSUAL TO HAVE TO CHLORINATE THE WELL ONCE OR TWICE AFTER IT IS DRILLED. WE CHLORINATE THE WELL WHEN WE DRILL IT, BUT OFTEN THE PLUMBING IS NOT COMPLETED AT THAT TIME SO THE PLUMBING LINES HAVE NOT BEEN DISINFECTED AT ALL.

9. RUNNING THE WATER FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST THINGS YOU CAN DO, PARTICULARLY IF THE HOUSE IS NEW OR HAS NOT BEEN OCCUPIED FOR SOME TIME; HOWEVER, RUN ENOUGH LOCATIONS SO THE PUMP RUNS CONTINUOUSLY RATHER THAN CYCLING ON AND OFF.