Fleck Bacteria & Coliform (Well) Filter

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If you want to discuss bacteria concerns, what should you write down first?

Before taking any further steps toward treatment, you should collect key details about your water and household. This includes whether you have tested your own water for bacterial contamination through a certified laboratory. Regional data from the Kansas City Public Water System (PWS MO1010415) serving Cass, Clay, Clinton, Jackson, and Platte counties shows that one health-based violation related to bacteria was recorded within recent history. However, this violation is a system-level finding and does not specify conditions in individual homes.

Document the source of your water (public system or private well), any known bacterial test results, your household size, water consumption habits, and any changes in water taste, appearance or odor. This information is necessary to ask informed questions and understand treatment needs.

If you manage a large household, a second home, or a seasonal property, what changes?

Larger households or seasonal properties may experience different bacterial risk profiles and water usage patterns. For example, a seasonal home with extended vacancy can have stagnant water that allows bacteria to grow inside pipes even when the public system is compliant. Large families or properties with multiple bathrooms may require higher treatment capacity and more frequent maintenance checks.

Because the Kansas City public water system uses surface water and has multiple treatment steps (as indicated by treatment process codes), your water generally undergoes disinfection and filtration. But household plumbing conditions vary widely, so personal water testing remains essential regardless of system compliance.

What are the differences between public system records and private well testing?

The EPA’s public water system record for the Kansas City system covers over 179,000 connections and shows a single health-based bacteria violation among other records. This system receives surface water that is treated through multiple processes designed to control bacteria.

However, these records cannot determine your home’s water safety because municipal water quality can vary by location, and in-house plumbing can add bacterial risks. Private wells are not covered by these system-wide records and require separate testing. Testing your specific source water and plumbing allows you to understand individual risk and whether treatment is necessary.

How should you judge treatment capacity against your household’s daily water demand?

Treatment capacity must match your household’s daily water use to effectively manage bacteria risks. A treatment device like the Fleck Bacteria & Coliform (Well) Filter ships ready to configure to meet specific flow rates and volume demands depending on household size and water usage.

Knowing your average daily consumption, peak flow rates, and the number of people served helps select a treatment solution that can handle bacteria removal without compromising water supply. An undersized solution may not provide effective protection, while an oversized unit may be unnecessarily costly or complex.

How does bacteria enter groundwater or the distribution system in this region?

In the Kansas City area’s public water system, bacteria originates primarily from surface water sources that may carry microorganisms from environmental runoff, sewage overflows, or wildlife. This surface water undergoes multiple treatment steps, including filtration and disinfection, to reduce bacterial presence before distribution.

Distribution system conditions such as pipe breaks, cross-connections, or low disinfectant residuals can also allow bacteria to enter the water closer to the tap. For private wells, bacteria can come from nearby septic systems, agricultural activities, or surface contamination infiltrating the well.

Regionally, bacterial contamination can be episodic. The presence of a single health-based violation in the system record indicates that controls are generally effective but that transient problems can occur.

Next Step: What test answers your household’s bacteria question definitively?

Order a certified laboratory test for total coliform and E. coli bacteria on your household water sample. A negative result means bacterial contamination is not present at the time of testing. If bacteria are detected, further guidance can be sought on whether treatment solutions like the Fleck Bacteria & Coliform (Well) Filter are appropriate to ensure safe water for your home.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2025-12-31. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA SDWIS record for KANSAS CITY PWS (MO1010415), surface water supply, serving 553295 people: 1 health-based violations of 4 total; lead 90th percentile 0.00208 mg/L