Introduction –
Public water systems are required to deliver safe and reliable drinking water to their customers 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. In the event that the water supply becomes contaminated, consumers can become seriously sick. Fortunately, public water systems take many steps to ensure that general society has safe, reliable drinking water. One of the main steps is to regularly test the water for coliform bacteria. Coliform bacteria are living beings that are present in the environment and in the faeces of all warm-blooded creatures and people. Coliform bacteria won’t likely cause illness. However, their presence in drinking water indicates that disease-causing organic entities (pathogens) could be in the water system.
Testing of the Bacteria –
Most pathogens that can contaminate water supplies come from the faeces of people or creatures. Testing drinking water for all possible pathogens is complex, time-polishing off, and expensive. It is relatively easy and inexpensive to test for coliform bacteria. If coliform bacteria are found in a water sample, water system operators work to track down the source of pollution and restore safe drinking water. There are three different gatherings of coliform bacteria; each has a different level of hazard.
Distinct Types of Coliform Bacteria –
Total coliform, faecal coliform, and E. coli are the types of bacteria of coliform. The total coliform bunch is a large collection of different sorts of bacteria. Faecal coliforms are types of total coliform that for the most part exist in faeces. E. coli is a sub-gathering of faecal coliform. When a water sample is sent to a lab, it is tested for total coliform. If total coliform is present, the sample will likewise be tested for either faecal coliform or E. coli, depending on the lab testing method. Total coliform bacteria are usually tracked down in the environment (e.g., soil or vegetation) and are generally harmless. If total coliform bacteria are detected in drinking water, the source is most likely environmental. Faecal defilement isn’t likely. However, on the off chance that environmental pollution can enter the system, there may likewise be a way for pathogens to enter the system. Therefore, finding the source and resolve the problem is significant.
Faecal & E-Coli Coliform Bacteria –
Faecal coliform bacteria are a sub-gathering of total coliform bacteria. They appear in great quantities in the intestines and faeces of people and creatures. The presence of faecal coliform in a drinking water sample often indicates recent faecal defilement, meaning that there is a greater gamble that pathogens are present than if by some stroke of good luck total coliform bacteria is detected. E. coli is a sub-gathering of the faecal coliform bunch. Most E. coli bacteria are harmless and are tracked down in great quantities in the intestines of people and warm-blooded creatures. Some strains, however, can cause illness. The presence of E. coli in a drinking water sample quite often indicates recent faecal pollution, meaning there is a greater gamble that pathogens are present.
Points to Consider About E-Coli –
- coli outbreaks receive a lot of media coverage. Most outbreaks have been caused by a specific kind of E. coli bacteria known as E. coli O157:H7. When a drinking water sample is reported as “E. coli present” it does not mean that this dangerous strain is present and truth be told, it is presumably not present. However, it does indicate recent faecal pollution. Bubbling or treating contaminated drinking water with a disinfectant destroys all types of E. coli.
