Is the statement true: Water from a new well must not be used until bacteriological samples on three successive days show coliform found?

Is the statement true: Water from a new well must not be used until bacteriological samples on three successive days show coliform found?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Not applicable

Answer: (B)

Coliform bacteria are used as indicators of possible microbial contamination in drinking water. For a new well, you can’t use the water until you have three consecutive samples (taken on separate days) that show no coliform bacteria. The presence of coliform on three days would indicate contamination and means you must fix the source (often by disinfection and retesting) before using the water. So the statement is false because the requirement is three consecutive days of no coliform, not three days showing coliform.

Coliform bacteria are used as indicators of possible microbial contamination in drinking water. For a new well, you can’t use the water until you have three consecutive samples (taken on separate days) that show no coliform bacteria. The presence of coliform on three days would indicate contamination and means you must fix the source (often by disinfection and retesting) before using the water. So the statement is false because the requirement is three consecutive days of no coliform, not three days showing coliform.