Bacterial contamination of drinking water supplies in a modern rural neighborhood.

On six occasions during a 15-month period, the private well and spring water supplies in a modern rural neighborhood of 78 households were examined for total coliforms, fecal coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, and standard plate count bacteria. More than one-third of the water supplies were unsatisfactory on at least one occasion as judged by standard plate counts over 10(3)/ml and the presence of coliforms, fecal coliforms, and/or S. aureus. Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli were the most frequently isolated total coliforms. At least 12 other genera of bacteria were identified from standard plate count agar. Coliform contamination was found to be higher after periods of rainfall, and high standard plate counts were more prevalent during warmer weather. These observations probably reflect leakage of surface water into improperly sealed wells or aquifer contamination during winter and the lack of chlorination to control microbial regrowth during the warm season. An inverse correlation was found between the presence of high standard plate counts and incidence of coliforms. Consumer education and at least a twice yearly monitoring of private water supplies (winter and summer) are suggested methods to signal that treatment may be necessary to reduce the risk of waterborne disease.