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Bacteria Removal in Londonderry, NH
Table of Contents
Coliform bacteria and E. coli are among the more common well water contaminants in Southern New Hampshire. Many homes with a private well also have a septic system on the same lot, and heavy rain, spring snowmelt, or a cracked well cap can let surface water slip into the well. Town water is disinfected and monitored, so problems are less common, though we treat either source.
At Mainline Plumbing, we test your water and, when the results call for it, install treatment to remove bacteria from your drinking water so a glass from the tap is safe again.
Bacteria Treatment Options for Wells and Town Water
The right fix depends on what your test shows and whether the problem keeps coming back.
Well Water Bacteria Testing
Before recommending any equipment, we begin with water quality testing and walk you through what the numbers mean. Our tests check for total coliform and E. coli. A positive E. coli result points to contamination from human or animal waste and warrants immediate treatment.
Well Chlorination
Shock chlorination flushes the well and your plumbing with a strong dose of chlorine, and it’s the usual first step after a positive test, a flood, or pump repairs. It clears out bacteria that are already there, though it can’t stop new bacteria from getting in later.
Ultraviolet Water Purification
A UV unit treats water as it enters your home, using ultraviolet light to destroy bacteria without adding chemicals or changing how the water tastes. It works best on clear water, so we often pair it with whole-house filtration.
When to Consider Bacteria Treatment in Londonderry
Bacteria can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted, so the clues come from what’s happened around your well rather than the water itself.
- A positive coliform or E. coli test: Any positive result means the water needs treatment and a retest.
- Flooding, heavy rain, or fast snowmelt: Surface water can reach the well during these events.
- Recent well or pump work: Repairs can introduce bacteria into an otherwise clean well.
- Stomach illness in the household with no clear cause: Contaminated water is worth ruling out.
- A newly drilled well or a home purchase: A baseline test shows where the water stands.
If a test comes back positive, hold off on drinking the water until it’s been treated and retested. In the meantime, boil all water at a rolling boil for at least a minute before use.
What to Expect When We Treat Bacteria in Your Well
Here’s what to expect from our bacteria testing and treatment process.
- Test the water: We collect a sample for lab analysis.
- Disinfect the well or plumbing: If bacteria are present, we chlorinate the well or plumbing to remove them.
- Install ongoing protection: We generally recommend installing continuous treatment such as a UV unit to keep your water safe and healthy.
- Retest: We recommend a follow-up sample to confirm the water is clean before you drink it again.
Treated water still needs occasional testing, so we’ll suggest a schedule that fits your well.
Why Choose Mainline for Bacteria Removal in Southern NH?
Mainline Plumbing is a family-owned company based in Londonderry, NH, and we work with both well and town water, so we understand how these problems start. Our licensed NH Master Plumbers and state-approved apprentices handle everything from the sample to the installation. We explain your options without pressure, and offer specials and financing for larger projects.
Proudly Serving Londonderry and the Surrounding Area
We work with homeowners in Londonderry, Bedford, Windham, Pelham, and nearby towns. Along with bacteria treatment, we help local homeowners with a full range of water and well services.
- Well pump services
- Well pump replacement
- Well pump maintenance and annual tune-ups
- Water heater repair
- Water heater replacement
- Tankless water heater services
- Arsenic and radon removal services
- PFAS water filter systems and PFAS water testing
- Water softener services
- Bottleless water coolers
- Emergency plumbing services
Schedule Well Water Bacteria Testing in Southern NH
If your water has been through a storm, a repair, or a stretch of unexplained stomach trouble, a test is the quickest way to know where you stand. Schedule bacteria testing online, and we’ll help you decide on next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
The two common methods are shock chlorination and UV treatment. Chlorination disinfects the well and plumbing in one treatment, while a UV unit keeps treating water as it enters the house. We recommend having a professional handle chlorination, since the dose and flushing steps matter.
Cost depends on whether you need a one-time chlorination or ongoing treatment, such as a UV unit, and on how your well and plumbing are set up. Chlorination generally costs less than installing equipment. We test first, explain your options, and offer financing for larger installs.
Stop drinking the water, or boil it for at least a minute first, and reach out to us to schedule treatment. Once the well is disinfected, retest to confirm the problem is gone. If bacteria keep returning, ongoing treatment is the next step.
Written By Mainline Plumbing
When something goes wrong with your water, the cause isn’t always obvious. It could be your plumbing, well system or the water itself. Mainline has the experience to look at the whole picture, identify the problem and recommend the right solution.
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