"Phil J" wrote
Hi Peter,
Just read about your water problems.
Where are you (6 hours from Vancouver)? Where is your shallow well
situated in terms of vegetation, runoff, etc? What is the casing made
of? (if it's galvanized culvert, that may be the cause of the
problem, or at least may contribute to it)?

Total coliforms in shallow wells are a common phenomenom, not
necessarily a health risk, but indicative of surface material and
runoff getting into the well. It is hard to avoid having total
coliforms in shallow wells. A drilled well is inherently safer but
that may not solve your problem with coloured water.

I haven't personally seen yellow water from high iron in water, so am
wondering if it's something else. Is the water yellow in the well, or
only after being exposed to air?

Diagnosing a water problem from lab test results is a bit like a
doctor diagnosing an unseen patient using only blood test results.
One needs to see the whole patient to get a better idea of what is
going on.

I work as a public health inspector with many years experience in BC
and have had a lot of involvement with private water systems.

You are welcome to contact me for (free) advice if you like at
.

Regards,

Phil J.

Phil, since you haven't seen yellow water, or treated it, what free
advice could you give him if you were looking down 'n round his well,
especially without water analysis data? That would seem as if the doctor
was treating the patient without a blood test.

Gary
Quality Water Associates