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This fecal coliform water test counts the E. coli in your water that comes from human or animal waste. A standard E. coli result does not always prove fecal contamination, so this count tells you where the bacteria likely came from and how much is present. It is a strong fit for private wells near septic systems, pastures, or manure, and for anyone following up on a positive bacteria result.
Problems often show up after heavy rain or snowmelt, when surface water moves fastest toward a well. If you want the wider coliform picture, our Total Coliform and E. coli Test is a helpful companion to this count. A second count after the next big storm can show whether a repair is holding.
Fecal E. coli are bacteria from the gut of people and warm-blooded animals, and they are the most specific sign of fresh waste in water. They belong to the fecal coliform group, a smaller part of the total coliform family.
Here are the usual sources in a private well:
Shallow and dug wells are more exposed than deep drilled wells. The EPA private well page covers well upkeep.
A fecal E. coli count tells you if the E. coli in your water comes from human or animal waste, and how much of it there is. That helps you decide how urgent the fix is.
Consider it if you have a private well near a septic system, pasture, barn, or manure pile. It also helps after a flood, after a positive coliform result, or when young children in your home have had diarrhea, cramps, or vomiting with no clear cause. Children tend to be hit harder by fecal E. coli infections than adults.
Buyers and sellers of homes on wells often order it too, since it gives a clear answer on the most urgent kind of bacteria.
Orders under $100 ship for an $8 flat rate, and shipping is free at $100 or more. The return label is prepaid.
Bacteria has the shortest holding time, so ship the same day you collect, since samples need to reach us within about 30 hours. Near Leominster, Massachusetts? You can drop your sample at our lab at 60 Elm Hill Avenue.
We analyze your sample in our accredited lab, using established testing methods and quality controls.
We have tested water since 1995.
Every test includes a free consultation with one of our water experts. We go over your results with you, explain what the numbers mean for your home, and help you decide on the appropriate next step, including any filtration approach.
Ships free to your door
Takes under 5 minutes
Free return shipping
Expert Consultation
Ships free to your door
Takes under 5 minutes
Free return shipping
Expert Consultation
Every test comes with step-by-step instructions on how to prepare your water source, collect your water sample, and prepare your sample for return shipment to our lab.
The appropriate sample containers are provided with sterility and sample volume requirements taken into consideration.
A short form to fill out with basic information about your water source. This helps our lab technicians process your results accurately.
A pre-paid return shipping label is included — just drop the sealed package in any mailbox or hand it to your mail carrier. No extra cost.
“The test was simple—collect a water sample from a faucet in the home. We sent the test to the lab and received a water quality analysis within a few days. The test included analysis of the water sample for the presence of: coliform bacteria, E. coli, iron, lead, pH, turbidity, and nitrates/nitrites.”
Taylor L.
“Incredible lab, they really care about their customers. As someone who doesn’t know a whole lot about water quality, they took their time to help me understand everything about my water quality situation.”
Brad R.
“I’ve used ETR for several tests, both water and air. The test kits are easy to understand and the reports are very comprehensive. But what really makes them stand out is their quality of service. There is a lot of terminology in these reports that I don’t understand, but their staff is very knowledgeable and always available to assist. They really take their time to review the results with you on the phone, and answer any questions you may have.”
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We run every test inside our own lab in Leominster, Massachusetts. Your results come straight from us, not a subcontractor. That keeps our pricing fair and our quality consistent across every kit we send out.
Most labs stop at handing you a report. We do not. Every result comes with a free call to one of our water quality experts, so you understand what your numbers mean and what to do next.
ETR Laboratories has run water tests for over 30 years. We hold membership in the national Water Quality Association and the Massachusetts Ground Water Association.
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Our Premium Water Test screens your water for 113 substances in one round, including bacteria, radon, heavy metals, and industrial chemicals, providing homeowners and landlords with a thorough assessment for peace of mind. We have run…
It can be. Many strains are harmless, but water carrying waste can also carry the germs that make people sick. Infection may cause diarrhea, which can be bloody, along with stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Young children, older adults, and people with weaker immune systems tend to be hit hardest, and some strains can damage the kidneys in rare cases.
Any amount. Drinking water standards call for no E. coli in a 100 mL sample, and a single detection is treated as a sign of fecal contamination. Until the well is fixed and a retest comes back clean, boiled or bottled water for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth is the safer choice.
It means surface water or soil is likely getting into your well. Total coliforms are not always harmful on their own, but they show there is a path for contamination. If fecal coliforms or E. coli are also present, that path is carrying waste. Checking the well cap, casing, and nearby septic system, then disinfecting and retesting, are the usual next steps.
Not exactly. Fecal coliform is a group of bacteria that live in the gut of warm-blooded animals, and E. coli is the main member of that group. This fecal coliform water test counts E. coli of fecal origin, which gives you a more direct answer than a general fecal coliform screen.
Symptoms from harmful E. coli strains often start three to four days after swallowing the germ, though it can range from one day to more than a week. Many E. coli strains do not cause illness, but water with fecal E. coli can carry other germs too. If someone in your home is sick, especially a child, contact a doctor.
Yes. Bringing water to a full rolling boil for one minute kills E. coli and other bacteria, and it is safe to drink once it cools. Boiling is a short-term fix while you find and repair the source and disinfect the well. It does not stop new contamination from getting in, so a follow-up test after treatment is still a good idea.
Showering is generally considered acceptable for healthy adults, as long as you keep water out of your mouth. Young children, who often swallow bath water, are safer with a sponge bath using boiled or bottled water. People with open wounds or weakened immune systems may want to take extra care. Your local health department can advise on your situation, and a clean retest after the well is disinfected ends the precautions.
Once a year is a common guideline for private wells. Extra tests make sense after flooding, nearby septic work, well repairs, or any change in taste, smell, or clarity. After a positive result and disinfection, a follow-up sample shows whether the fix held. Pairing it with a nitrate test is useful too, since nitrate is one of the most important indicators of whether a drilled well is working properly, and a rising level signals surface water getting in.
No shared results. Our laboratory holds our clients privacy to the highest regard, your results and information will never be shared. Be aware that state certified laboratories may be required to report your results to various government agencies.