Here’s a hot take: You can’t fix what you don’t test. I know, I know—testing sounds like homework. But in Denver, it’s a huge deal. Bacteria levels change with seasons. Spring runoff? Boom, new friends. Dry summer? Less action. Testing once a year is like a check-up for your well. It costs maybe fifty bucks and saves you from drinking a science experiment.
Call a local lab (or your county health office). They’ll give you a sterile bottle. You fill it, mail it, and wait. When the results come back, look for total coliform and E. coli. If it’s positive, don’t panic. Just march straight to a treatment pro. Denver has tons of specialists who geek out on this stuff.
E. Coli in Well Water Treatment: What to Do Next - Housatonic Valley
DIY or Call a Pro?
Can you shock your own well? Sure. Grab a jug of bleach, follow a YouTube video, and pray you don’t overdo it. But—and this is a big but—if you mess up, you can damage your well pump or blow a gasket. Literally. I’ve seen it happen. For the cost of a plumber’s visit (maybe $200-$400), you get peace of mind. Or, you know, you can have a fun weekend adventure with a garden hose and a chemistry set. Your call.
If you go pro, they’ll also check your well casing for cracks. Sometimes the problem isn’t the water—it’s a faulty seal. Fix that, and boom—bacteria disappear like my motivation to run stairs in July. It’s a game-changer.
