UV Disinfection System Installation — Owings, MD
A routine well water test before a home sale in Owings came back positive for total coliform bacteria. We installed a Viqua UV disinfection system, retested the water, and cleared the home for closing — all within 48 hours.
The Problem
A homeowner in Owings was preparing to sell their home and had a well water test performed as part of the buyer's inspection. The test came back positive for total coliform bacteria — a result that can delay or kill a home sale. The homeowner called us in a panic: the closing was scheduled in two weeks, and the buyer's lender required a clean water test before funding the loan. The well had never had a bacteria problem before, and the homeowner had no idea how bacteria had entered the system.
Our Diagnosis
We inspected the well cap, casing, and pressure tank. The well cap had a small crack that had allowed surface water infiltration — the most common cause of coliform contamination in residential wells. The crack was not visible without close inspection. We also noted that the well was located within 50 feet of a drainage swale, which increased the risk of surface water reaching the well during heavy rain. The solution was two-part: shock chlorinate the well to eliminate the existing bacteria, and install a UV disinfection system to provide ongoing protection against future contamination.
The Repair Process
- 1Inspected well cap, casing, and surrounding area — found cracked well cap allowing surface water entry
- 2Replaced cracked well cap with new vermin-proof, watertight cap
- 3Shock chlorinated the well with sodium hypochlorite solution — 200 ppm concentration
- 4Flushed all fixtures until chlorine smell dissipated — approximately 4 hours
- 5Installed Viqua VH410 UV system on the main supply line after the sediment pre-filter
- 6Installed 5-micron sediment pre-filter to protect UV lamp from turbidity
- 7Verified UV lamp output with manufacturer test kit
- 8Submitted water sample for retest — results returned negative for coliform in 24 hours
The Outcome
The retest came back negative for total coliform and E. coli. The home closed on schedule. The UV system provides continuous disinfection — every gallon of water that passes through the system is exposed to UV light that destroys bacteria, viruses, and protozoa without adding any chemicals to the water. The new well cap prevents future surface water infiltration. The homeowner was relieved to close on time and the buyer has a documented, treated water supply.
Key Takeaway
Bacteria in well water is almost always caused by a physical entry point — a cracked well cap, damaged casing, or surface water infiltration. Fixing the entry point and installing UV disinfection provides both immediate and long-term protection.
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