Professional well water testing

The point of this escapes me. A coliform test is a rel cheap test, why try to guesstimate? Since there are several bacteria strains that show up for coliform testing and only 2 are pathogens, why not try to get an accurate reading.
Organic contaminants are usually tested using gas chromatography which is a sort of "sniffer" but much more calibrated.

Water borne pathogens can cause so many diseases that only guessing can be a real limitation especially if youre doing this as a business. I dont believe that there is a valid standard method for "sniffing" coliforms that would stand up to peer scrutiny or be admissable as data.

Besides, many water types impart a different odor due to their chemical makeup. I can have you sniff H2S water that, while full of Sulfo reductans bacteria, will be totally coliform free. Or limestone waters hve a irony smell and some low ph water smells like sulfur also.

Farmerman,

Thank you. I was thinking along your line, there. It just doesn't make sense to me why anyone would want to do that. You have introduced a few new lexicons and I appreciate it.

I believe not to let things go by chance or guessing. Clear tests that have been established and confirmed are the most reliable. I'll keep my nose to the Thai kitchen and hrinding stone.

thanks again,
Andy Christensen, CWS-II