When a well has shown detected fecal coliform, it indicates a potential contamination with pathogens that can pose serious health risks. The correct course of action is to treat the water and retest it to ensure the safety and quality of the drinking water.
Treating the well typically involves employing disinfection processes, such as chlorination, to eliminate harmful bacteria. After the treatment, retesting is vital to confirm the effectiveness of the treatment and to check for any remaining coliform bacteria. This step ensures that the water is safe for consumption and meets public health standards.
Continuing to use the well without any change disregards the health risks and does not address the contamination issue, while closing the well permanently may be premature if treatment can resolve the issue. Ignoring minor detections is not appropriate in the context of fecal coliform, as even small amounts can indicate a significant health risk. Therefore, treating and retesting is the most responsible and effective approach to manage the contamination.