Why Bacteria Shows Up in Well Water
Private well owners are responsible for their own water quality. Bacteria like coliform and E. coli can get into a well through a cracked casing, a loose cap or surface water after heavy rain. You usually cannot see, smell or taste it, which is why testing matters.
Testing is smart after flooding, after well work and when buying a home. Buyers around Gainesville and Manassas often ask us about bacteria during a sale.
If a test comes back positive, the first step is finding out how it got in. Sometimes the fix is a casing repair or a sanitary well cap. When bacteria is an ongoing risk, a UV light for well water is a steady line of defense.
How a UV Light for Well Water Works
A UV system is a chamber with an ultraviolet bulb inside a quartz sleeve. Water flows past the light, and the UV energy stops bacteria from reproducing. It adds no chemicals and does not change the taste or smell of your water.
Most units mount near the pressure tank where the water line enters the house, so all the water headed to your faucets passes through the chamber.
We install GDS and Viqua UV lights. Both are sized to the flow of your home, so the water gets enough exposure on its way through.
What UV does not do
UV treats bacteria. It does not remove iron, hardness, sulfur smell, lead or nitrates, and it does not fix low pH. Those need water treatment matched to your test results.
Pre-Filtration Comes First
UV light has to reach the water to work. Sediment, iron and cloudiness can shade bacteria from the light and coat the sleeve. That is why we usually put a sediment filter ahead of the UV, and sometimes other treatment too.
In parts of Prince William, hard water and iron are common. Out in parts of Fauquier, low pH water is more likely. We look at your results before we recommend anything.
Retest After the Install
After the system is in, the water lines past it should be disinfected and the water retested. A clean result after install is how you know it is working. We handle water testing for bacteria, pH, lead and nitrates. Annual testing after that is widely recommended. See our guide to well water testing for more.
Keeping the Bulb and Sleeve in Shape
UV bulbs lose strength before they burn out, so they are typically changed about once a year even if they still glow. The quartz sleeve should be cleaned when the bulb is changed. Leave the unit powered on, since it only protects water when the light is lit. If your unit has an alarm or indicator light, pay attention to it. After a power outage, check that the light came back on.
Oasis Well Service serves Prince William County, Fauquier County and nearby counties, including Bristow, Warrenton and Clifton. Call 703-791-3981 to talk about a UV system.