Removing Bacteria From Your Water
Bacteria in water is a common problem for homes and businesses in Greater Lehigh Valley and eastern Pennsylvania, especially if you have well water. Approximately one in six wells in the area contains bacteria. Even if you don't drink your water, bacteria can be harmful when cooking, making ice cubes or coffee or bathing and brushing your teeth.
Microorganisms like total coliform and E. coli can enter private wells after heavy rain, flooding or well maintenance. If you rely on a well, routine testing and a whole-home disinfection strategy are the best ways to protect your family and customers from hidden risks.
At Long's EcoWater Systems, we offer bacteria testing and treatment for your water supply. We provide highly effective systems and industry expertise to resolve your water problems quickly with long-lasting results.
How Do You Know If You Have Bacteria in Your Drinking Water?
Bacteria contamination is virtually impossible to detect in your water without proper testing. In some rare cases, your water may become cloudy or develop an unusual taste or smell. Typically, people don't realize bacteria are in their water until they start experiencing physical side effects, such as:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Abdominal cramps
Because many bacteria are invisible, odorless and tasteless, DIY strips can miss problems or provide false reassurance. Professional, state-certified testing delivers accurate information so you can act with confidence.
The only way to be sure whether you have bacteria in your water is to get it tested. At Long's EcoWater Systems, we partner with state-certified labs for highly accurate water testing. We'll evaluate your water's bacteria levels and recommend the best solution for your needs.
Here's what to expect from bacteria testing:
- We collect or guide a proper sample, maintain the chain-of-custody, and submit it to a Pennsylvania state-certified lab.
- Results indicate the presence or absence of total coliform and E. coli and whether follow-up is required.
- We review your report with you, answer questions and tailor a solution to your plumbing, flow rate, space and budget so you know exactly what comes next.
How to Remove Bacteria From Well Water
If your water test results show bacteria, it's important to get your water treated as soon as possible. Methods like boiling, filtering and disinfecting water can be effective, but they are not always practical or convenient. What's more, some contaminants are resistant to chemical disinfectants.
Boiling works in emergencies but is impractical for whole-home use and doesn't address biofilm inside plumbing. Basic pour-through filters aren't rated for microorganism removal. Shock chlorination can help short term, yet may leave taste or odor, and doesn't provide continuous protection. Some viruses and protozoa are more resistant to chlorine, which is why a continuous, point-of-entry disinfection method is preferred.
At Long's EcoWater Systems, we recommend an Ultraviolet (UV) Water Treatment System to everyone with well water as it is the best way to remove bacteria from your tap water 24/7.
What Is Ultraviolet Light Water Treatment?
UV light treatment is a safe, effective way to remove bacteria from your tap water. A UV light water treatment system exposes microorganisms like bacteria and viruses to UV light. The UV light exposure destroys the microorganisms' DNA structures, preventing them from reproducing and spreading in your water supply.
UV light disrupts microbial DNA/RNA, so pathogens can't reproduce or cause illness. It treats water instantly as it flows through the chamber, all without chemicals, byproducts or changes in taste and smell.
Long's EcoWater can install a UV light to kill bacteria in your water. For best performance, we pair UV with sediment pre-filtration to ensure the proper UV dose and reliable, whole-home protection.
Benefits of UV Water Treatment Services
UV water treatment systems offer many unique advantages, including the following:
- Highly effective: UV sterilizers remove a wide range of harmful bacteria and viruses from your tap water, including coliform bacteria, E. coli, hepatitis and giardia.
- Chemical-free: A UV water system doesn't use any chemicals or leave behind any harmful chemical byproducts.
- Tasteless and odorless: UV light doesn't alter the taste or smell of your water.
- Low maintenance: UV light systems are easy to maintain with annual bulb changing and periodic cleaning.
- Environmentally friendly: UV disinfection systems use minimal electricity and don't require water drainage, making them an eco-friendly option.
- Additional benefits of UV systems include:
- More effective than chlorine for many viruses
- No dangerous chemicals or byproducts
- Compact, space-saving design
- Compatible with softeners and filters
- Easy annual maintenance
- Low electricity usage
Our UV Water Treatment Systems
The PFC and GDS Ultraviolet Systems are both very effective at supplying your home or office with safe, bacteria-free water, 24 hours a day/7 days a week. These UV Disinfection Systems have set the standard for water disinfection requirements in the industry. Only yearly servicing is required!
Manufactured in Mechanicsburg, PA, these systems feature countdown timers and alarms, so you know exactly when the UV lamp must be replaced. They are also available with different flow rates to accommodate your water usage. Compact footprints integrate neatly with existing softeners and filters, and quick annual lamp service keeps upkeep simple and affordable.
Why Choose Long's EcoWater Systems
Long's EcoWater offers local expertise, premium equipment and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Our team sizes and installs systems correctly the first time and provides responsive maintenance support. We proudly serve the Greater Lehigh Valley and communities across eastern Pennsylvania.
“We just moved into our new home & needed to have a UV Light Filter installed ASAP to make the water safe to drink. Long's scheduled us right away to install at the most convenient time for us. Jamin installed a filter for us and did a great job, at a fair price. We'll be using Longs for years to come!” — Andrew H. via Google
Contact Us for UV Water Treatment Services
Complete our online contact form today to learn more about our UV water treatment systems. Protect your home or business with safe, great-tasting, bacteria-free water.
Andrew H. via Google
We just moved into our new home & needed to have a UV Light Filter installed ASAP to make the water safe to drink. Long’s scheduled us right away to install at the most convenient time for us. Jamin installed a filter for us and did a great job, at a fair price.
We’ll be using Longs for years to come!
Bacteria Water Treatment Frequently Asked Questions
What are my options for buying a UV water treatment system?
Long’s installs the PFC and GDS Ultraviolet Systems. They feature countdown timers and alarms for lamp replacement and come in different flow rates to match your usage.
How can I tell if my well water is contaminated?
About one in six wells in the area contain bacteria. Bacteria are typically undetectable without lab testing; schedule a test if you have any concerns or symptoms.
Can I hire a company to test and fix my water contamination issues?
Yes. Long’s partners with state‑certified labs for testing and installs UV systems to provide 24/7 bacteria disinfection.
How do UV systems work and what do they treat?
UV light damages microorganisms’ DNA so they can’t reproduce. It’s effective against coliform bacteria, E. coli, hepatitis, and Giardia - without chemicals, taste, or odor.
What are the advantages of using eco‑friendly water treatment systems?
UV disinfection is chemical‑free, uses minimal electricity, requires no drainage, and is low maintenance (annual bulb change and periodic cleaning).