Water with high levels of bacteria and arsenic

[Loukas Stoumbos]

I wanted to ask on what I should do if a home has well water with a high level of bacteria and arsenic. Would a reverse osmosis take care of this or is more needed? Thank you for any help.

[Robert M.]

Well water with bacteria should be treated to remove the bacteria as they are not normal in well water. Chlorinating the well and plumbing system (recirculate with a hose form spigot back into top of well) with a cup of "clorox" for a few hours then pumping it out and retesting after 2 weeks to ensure the treatment was effective is the correct approach. (how "high" was the bacteria, and were they coliforms?).

Is well cap above ground as it should be or is well buried?

How high is the arsenic?  What are local arsenic levels in well water? Arsenic is present in insecticides/fungicides. Any possibility of contamination form those?

[Account Closed]

@Loukas Stoumbos - if you haven't already, you might want to start here: http://water.epa.gov/ and then consult with the local health department and professional well drillers/pump installers.

As @Robert M. alluded to, the source of the arsenic problem may be induced rather than organic, thus addressing the source, may correct it without filtration.

As for the bacteria... again, as Robert asked, what are the bacteria levels and type?  Is the septic tank/field in good shape... could the affluent be leaching into the water supply? Things you'll need to know before considering the options available to resolve the problem.

Good luck!

[Dan Vleck]

The test for bacteria is a coliform test, unless you are guessing high bacteria because of sulfide odors. Chlorine will help for iron bacteria.  Common for arsenic to be high based on location. I don't know what the best treatment is for arsenic. 

Good luck.

Dan

[Loukas Stoumbos]

Thank you all for the input. I was if that home would make a good flip. The numbers look good but many people have turned away from it because of the water issues.