Basic Bacteria Check
Screens your well for total coliform bacteria and E. coli - the most important first safety check.
$113.00Ships to your door
Order this testAbout this test
The Basic Bacteria Check is the most affordable way to confirm your private well water is safe to drink from a bacterial standpoint. It looks for total coliform bacteria, a broad indicator that surface contamination may be reaching your water, and E. coli, which signals contamination from human or animal waste. Bacteria can enter a well after heavy rain, flooding, a cracked well cap, or aging casing - often with no change in how the water looks, smells, or tastes. If you have never tested your well, or it has been more than a year, this is the test to start with.
What it tests for
- Total coliform bacteria (presence/absence)
- E. coli (an indicator of fecal contamination)
Why it matters
Coliform and E. coli are the single most important indicators of whether your well water is safe to drink. Unlike many contaminants, harmful bacteria leave no taste, color, or odor, so testing is the only way to know. A positive result means you should stop drinking the water untreated and disinfect or shock-chlorinate the well.
Who it is for: Best for private-well owners who want a quick, low-cost confirmation that their water is bacterially safe - especially after flooding, well work, or a move-in. Recommended at least once a year by most state health departments.
How home sampling works
No technician visit required. You collect the sample yourself in a few minutes and mail it to the lab.
- 1
Order online
Choose your test and check out. Your kit ships to your door with everything you need to collect a sample at home.
- 2
Collect your sample
Follow the step-by-step instructions in the kit to fill the sample bottles straight from your tap or wellhead. It takes just a few minutes.
- 3
Mail it back
Drop the prepaid package in the mail. Your sample is sent directly to the certified lab for analysis.
- 4
Get clear results
You receive an easy-to-read report explaining what was found, how it compares to drinking-water guidelines, and what to do next.
Frequently asked questions
- How often should I test for bacteria?
- Most state health departments recommend testing private well water for coliform bacteria at least once a year, and any time after flooding, well repairs, or if anyone in the household has unexplained gastrointestinal illness.
- What does a positive coliform or E. coli result mean?
- A positive total coliform result means contamination may be reaching your well and you should investigate the well cap, casing, and surroundings. A positive E. coli result indicates fecal contamination - stop drinking the water untreated, switch to bottled water, and disinfect (shock-chlorinate) the well, then retest.
- Do I need any special equipment to take the sample?
- No. The kit includes a sterile sample bottle and clear instructions. You collect the sample at home in a few minutes and mail it back in the prepaid package.
Ready to test your well?
Order the Basic Bacteria Check and get clear, lab-backed results with guidance on exactly what to do next.
Order this test$113.00
Water tests are fulfilled and analyzed by SimpleLab and its Tap Score certified laboratory network. DrillerDB helps you order the right test for your well; lab analysis and reporting are provided by SimpleLab.