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moxonrox OP t1_j6fhbab wrote

Reply to comment by nogiblets in Well came back positive for coliform and landlord hasn’t shocked it. Advice? by moxonrox

Thanks! However, all I’ve found online are home tests that test for if coliform is present (which we know it is), but not how many colonies (which would indicate the problem has gotten worse).

I’ve reached out to the testing company our commercial kitchen uses but those tests are over $100, which feels wrong for us to foot ourselves based on principle.

Do you have any tips on which tests?

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reddit_username_blah t1_j6fjzh4 wrote

Are you going to skimp on $100 out of principal? This is your health and your families health. Get it done and then try and claw it back.

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dghah t1_j6fmeg3 wrote

2nd this. You always want a second test, *especially* if the first test was not done by you and you don't have the raw lab results in hand. Totally worth the cost.

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heggieknitter t1_j6g6hpd wrote

You should not test for the general "coliform" - you know that is positive. You should test for fecal coliform and e. coli. Maine Environmental Laboratory has a good description of what each of the tests mean. If you're within reasonable driving distance of Yarmouth, they also do the analyses and their price is reasonable.

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moxonrox OP t1_j6ixcnc wrote

I found a company that will do a follow up test to identify the type of coliform for $50, so we will see what that turns up in about a week or so!

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nogiblets t1_j6fm3mu wrote

If I'm reading ME law correctly, your landlord is supposed to supply you with the actual test results which would serve as a baseline for you now. Someone in your local gov't has the answers you need—health inspector? building code people? You could start with your town clerk to find out who to contact. You can also search for a tenant's rights association in your location that can help.

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IamSauerKraut t1_j6hqzmn wrote

Well water specialist thru DHHS can help. I posted link to more info, above.

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sixfootskunkplant t1_j6fx7wl wrote

Call your county extension service and ask if they will test it for you.

That would get it into the system, as well, in case you need to lawyer up later.

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