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$45.00
Our Total Coliform Count Water Test measures the amount of coliform in well water or tap water and reports it as a count. Coliform is a warning that surface water or soil may be getting into your system. It is a good fit for well owners, anyone with a past positive result, and households checking whether a treatment system is doing its job.
A count helps you size the problem. A small number may point to a minor entry point, such as a worn cap seal, while a high count suggests a more direct path for contamination. If you want to know whether the bacteria are fecal, our T. Coliform and E. coli Test adds E. coli to the picture.
Coliforms are a large family of bacteria that live in soil, on plants, and in the gut of people and animals. Finding them in a well usually means outside water is getting in, and germs that cause illness could follow the same path.
Here are common causes in private wells:
Shallow and dug wells are more exposed than deep drilled wells. City water can pick up coliform after a main break or a loss of pressure.
This test fits you if you have a private well and want to know how sanitary your water is, especially after heavy rain or a flood. Repeat counts over time show whether a problem is growing or fading.
It is also useful after a positive bacteria result, after shock chlorinating, or when you want to confirm that a UV light, filter, or other treatment system is working. Cloudiness after storms or an older well with a worn cap are good reasons to check as well.
Families with infants, older adults, or anyone with a weakened immune system often test more regularly.
Orders of $100 or more ship free, and orders under $100 ship for an $8 flat rate. The return label is prepaid.
Bacteria samples need to reach our lab within about 30 hours of collection. Bacteria has the shortest holding time, so ship the same day you collect.
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.”
John T.
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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.
Our reviews reflect the work we do. We hold a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Google, a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Angi from 342 reviews, and five-star ratings on Trustpilot.
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…
Total coliform bacteria are usually not harmful on their own. The concern is what they signal, which is a path that lets surface water, soil, or waste into your well. That path can also carry germs that cause stomach illness, and the risk rises if E. coli is present too. Until the source is fixed, boiled or bottled water for drinking is a sensible choice.
Any amount. The drinking water standard calls for no coliform bacteria detected in a 100 mL sample. A positive result means outside water or soil may be reaching your supply, even if no one feels sick. The count shows whether you are looking at an occasional problem or a steady path for contamination that needs a prompt fix.
Generally yes, for total coliform alone, as long as you avoid swallowing the water. Many health departments advise using boiled or bottled water for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth until the problem is fixed. If E. coli is also found, the advice gets stricter, and young children or anyone with open wounds or a weak immune system should take extra care. Your local health department can advise on your situation.
You cannot tell by look or taste, since water with bacteria often appears clear. Stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting that keep returning, especially in more than one person at home, can be a clue. A doctor can check for illness, and a water test checks the source. If a test finds coliform, switching to bottled or boiled water until the well is fixed is a sensible step.
No. E. coli is one type of coliform. Total coliform includes many bacteria that live in soil and on plants, while E. coli lives in the gut of people and animals and points more directly to fecal contamination. A positive total coliform result with no E. coli still means the water is getting in from outside, so the source deserves a closer look.
Chlorine, UV light, and boiling all kill coliform bacteria. Bringing water to a rolling boil for one minute makes it safe to drink in the short term. Treatment for coliform in well water usually starts with shock chlorination of the well and plumbing, and our free consultation helps you decide on the appropriate long-term approach. Fixing the entry point, such as a damaged cap or casing, keeps the problem from returning.
Once a year is a common guideline for private wells, and spring is a popular time since snowmelt and rain can carry surface water in. Retesting also makes sense after flooding, well or pump repairs, a change in taste or clarity, or any shock chlorination. After a positive result, a follow-up sample once the well has been disinfected shows whether the fix held. Testing at the same time each year makes counts easier to compare.
Yes, the two work well together. Nitrate is one of the most important indicators of whether a drilled well is working properly, because a rising level signals surface water getting into the well. That same path is how coliform bacteria get in. A positive coliform result plus high nitrate points to a well problem worth fixing, such as a cracked casing or a poor seal, rather than a one-time event after a storm.
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.