The primary source of these bacteria is waste from the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals. Make sure the well has been kept covered so no animals have access to the well. People have found dead rats, rabbits, squirrels, possums and other critters in their wells. Make sure that your own septic system is not contaminating the water supply, too. Special tracers can be placed in your septic system to tell if that is the case. Also, look for overland runoff from where animals or animal waste is produced, stored, or utilized.

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