Fleck Bacteria & Coliform (Well) Filter

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Interpreting 'Detected,' 'Median,' and 'Range' in Burlington’s Water Sampling Record

The water system serving Burlington in Des Moines County uses surface water and supports over 11,000 connections. Official EPA sampling indicates that the system has recorded two health-based violations related to bacteria in the past. These records show the presence of bacteria without specifying concentration ranges or median values since the system reports health-based outcomes rather than numeric bacteria counts in the publicly available summary. It is important to understand that 'detected' means bacteria were found during routine monitoring, but this does not specify the level in your household’s water. This system-level record provides a general picture but does not replace individual water testing at your home.

Assessing Treatment Capacity in Relation to Household Water Demand

After your prior equipment failed, choosing a treatment solution that matches your daily water use is critical. Household demand varies widely but generally includes drinking, cooking, bathing, and laundry. The right bacterial filter technology should accommodate the peak flow and total volume your home consumes per day to maintain effective bacteria removal without reducing water pressure or flow. Understanding your daily water use helps ensure any device you select can reliably process the volume needed for your family’s comfort and safety.

How a Certified Laboratory Test Reports on Bacteria and What Results Mean

To understand your home’s water condition after treatment equipment failure, a certified laboratory test is necessary. Such tests commonly report the presence or absence of total coliform bacteria and E. coli, the two key indicators of bacterial contamination. A result indicating no coliform bacteria supports that the water is free from recent bacterial intrusion, while detection means bacteria are present and further action is needed. This lab result is the definitive measure for your specific water and cannot be replaced by system-wide records or visual observations.

Additional Considerations for Commercial and Industrial Operators

While this page focuses on residential needs, larger water users must consider additional factors such as higher volume flow, regulatory compliance, and routine monitoring schedules. Industrial settings may require equipment capable of handling larger volumes and more robust maintenance protocols. Households typically do not face these complexities but should be aware of flow and capacity specifications when choosing treatment solutions.

Sources of Bacteria in Burlington’s Water Supply and Distribution Network

Burlington’s municipal water source comes from surface water, which is more susceptible to bacteria than groundwater sources. Surface water can carry bacteria from environmental sources such as soil runoff, animal waste, and decaying organic matter. The water treatment process aims to reduce bacterial presence before distribution; however, breaches or equipment failures in distribution lines or home plumbing can introduce bacteria. Understanding these pathways emphasizes why testing your household water after equipment failure is important.

Steps to Rule Out Causes of Bacterial Contamination From Affordable to Definitive

Begin with basic checks such as inspecting your household plumbing for any visible leaks or cross-connections, and flushing pipes to remove stagnant water. Next, review any recent changes to your water source or pressure that might introduce contamination. Following these preliminary steps, arrange for laboratory testing to confirm the presence or absence of bacteria. This progression helps avoid unnecessary equipment replacement or expense without evidence.

The essential test to order is a certified laboratory analysis for total coliform and E. coli bacteria on your household water sample. A result showing no bacteria will confirm your water’s safety after treatment failure, while detection will indicate the need for bacterial-specific filtration technology such as a Fleck Bacteria & Coliform (Well) Filter, which ships ready to configure and is designed to address these contaminants.

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 BURLINGTON MUNICIPAL WATERWORKS (IA2909053), surface water supply, serving 26015 people: 2 health-based violations of 2 total; lead 90th percentile 0.001 mg/L