Introduction to Coliform Bacteria
Coliforms are several types of bacteria that can be found in the soil, on
vegetation or on surface water. Some of the Coliforms live in the intestines of
people and warm-blooded animals. However a great number of the Coliforms are
neutral to people, they indicate that harmful to human microorganisms are
present.
Coliforms are used to indicate the quality of drinking water. A large number of
different bacteria, including: Escherichia, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Serratia,
Citrobacter and Proteus belong to the total Coliform group. The fecal Coliform
group is an under-group of the total Coliforms and has fewer bacteria.
Total Coliform bacteria live in soil, in water or on vegetation and are usually
innocuous. If total Coliform bacteria are found in the drinking water that means
the source of contamination is environmental. Feces contamination is not likely,
however if these bacteria managed to enter the water system, other pathogens
may also do, so it is crucial to determine the source of contamination.
Fecal Coliform bacteria are a sub-group of
the total Coliform group. They can be found in the intestines and feaces of people
and animals. The presence of fecal Coliforms in the drinking water often indicates
recent fecal contamination. That means higher risk of pathogens presence.
E.coli is a genus and species of the fecal Coliform group. E.coli is present in the
intestines of warm-blooded animals and humans. The presence of E.coli in
drinking water in almost all cases signify fresh fecal pollution. Most E.coli strains
are harmless, (except the strain E.coli 0157:H7) but the presence of E.coli in the
water indicates high probability of disease-causing microorganisms.
The Coliform microorganisms do not change the color or taste of the water. The
only way to find out if they are present in the water is a laboratory test. They can
all be destroyed by boiling water.
Coliform Bacteria in Drinking Water Supplies
A copy of the Coliform Bacteria in Drinking Water Supplies is available in Adobe Portable Document
Format (PDF, 762KB, 2pg.).
What are Coliforms?
Coliforms are bacteria that are always present in the digestive tracts of animals, including humans,
and are found in their wastes. They are also found in plant and soil material.
"Indicator" Organisms
Water pollution caused by fecal contamination is a serious problem due to the potential for
contracting diseases from pathogens (diseasecausing organisms). Frequently, concentrations of
pathogens from fecal contamination are small, and the number of different possible pathogens is
large. As a result, it is not practical to test for pathogens in every water sample collected. Instead,
the presence of pathogens is determined with indirect evidence by testing for an "indicator"
organism such as coliform bacteria. Coliforms come from the same sources as pathogenic
organisms. Coliforms are relatively easy to identify, are usually present in larger numbers than
more dangerous pathogens, and respond to the environment, wastewater treatment, and water
treatment similarly to many pathogens. As a result, testing for coliform bacteria can be a
reasonable indication of whether other pathogenic bacteria are present.
Total Coliforms, Fecal Coliforms, and E. Coli
The most basic test for bacterial contamination of a water supply is the test for total coliform
bacteria. Total coliform counts give a general indication of the sanitary condition of a water
supply.
A. Total coliforms include bacteria that are found in the soil, in water that has been
influenced by surface water, and in human or animal waste.
B. Fecal coliforms are the group of the total coliforms that are considered to be present
specifically in the gut and feces of warm-blooded animals. Because the origins of fecal
coliforms are more specific than the origins of the more general total coliform group of
bacteria, fecal coliforms are considered a more accurate indication of animal or human
waste than the total coliforms.
C. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the major species in the fecal coliform group. Of the five
general groups of bacteria that comprise the total coliforms, only E. coli is generally not
found growing and reproducing in the environment. Consequently, E. coli is considered to
be the species of coliform bacteria that is the best indicator of fecal pollution and the
possible presence of pathogens.
Are Coliform Bacteria Harmful?
Most coliform bacteria do not cause disease. However, some rare strains of E. coli, particularly the
strain 0157:H7, can cause serious illness. Recent outbreaks of disease caused by E. coli 0157:H7
have generated much public concern about this organism. E. coli 0157:H7 has been found in cattle,
chickens, pigs, and sheep. Most of the reported human cases have been due to eating under
cooked hamburger. Cases of E. coli 0157:H7 caused by contaminated drinking water supplies are
rare.
Coliform Testing
Testing for bacteria is the only reliable way to know if your water is safe. You cannot tell by the
look, taste, or smell of the water if disease-causing organisms are in it. The New York State
Department of Health recommends that well owners test their water for coliform bacteria at least
once a year. If you have experienced bacteria problems in the past, it is recommended that you
test your well more frequently.
When Should I Test?
Late spring or early summer are the best times to test your well, since coliform contamination is
most likely to show up during wet weather. Whether your test results are positive or negative,
understand that the sample you collected is just a "snapshot" of your well�s water quality. The
more samples you have tested, the more confident you can be about the quality of the water you
are drinking.
What do the Results Mean?
If coliform bacteria are present in your drinking water, your risk of contracting a water-borne
illness is increased. Although total coliforms can come from sources other than fecal matter, a
positive total coliform sample should be considered an indication of pollution in your well. Positive
fecal coliform results, especially positive E. Coli results, should be considered indication of fecal
pollution in your well.
What Should be done if Coliform Bacteria are Detected in a Well?
When coliforms have been detected, repairs or modifications of the water system may be required.
Boiling the water is advised until disinfection and retesting can confirm that contamination has
been eliminated. A defective well is often the cause when coliform bacteria are found in well water.
What Kinds of Defects can Allow Contamination?
a missing or defective well cap - seals around wires, pipes, and where the cap meets
the casing may be cracked, letting in contaminants
contaminant seepage through the well casing - cracks or holes in the well casing allow
water that has not been filtered through the soil to enter the well. This seepage is common
in the wells made of concrete, clay tile, or brick
contaminant seeping along the outside of the well casing - many older wells were
not sealed with grout when they were constructed
well flooding - a common problem for wellheads located below the ground in frost pits
that frequently flood during wet weather.
Long-Term Options for Dealing with Bacterial Contamination of a
Well
Connecting to the regional public water system, if possible
Inspecting wells for defects and repairing them if possible
Constructing a new well
Installing continuous disinfection equipment
Using bottled water for drinking and food preparation
How could coliform bacteria affect water quality?
What are coliforms? Coliforms are bacteria that are always present in the digestive tracts
of animals, including humans, and are found in their wastes. They are also found in plant
and soil material. The most basic test for bacterial contamination of a water supply is the
test for total coliform bacteria. Total coliform counts give a general indication of the
sanitary condition of a water supply.
Here's a look at coliforms in general:
Total coliforms include bacteria that are found in the soil, in water that has been
influenced by surface water, and in human or animal waste.
Fecal coliforms are the group of the total coliforms that are considered to be
present specifically in the gut and feces of warm-blooded animals. Because the
origins of fecal coliforms are more specific than the origins of the more general
total coliform group of bacteria, fecal coliforms are considered a more accurate
indication of animal or human waste than the total coliforms.
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the major species in the fecal coliform group. Of the
five general groups of bacteria that comprise the total coliforms, only E. coli is
generally not found growing and reproducing in the environment. Consequently,
E. coli is considered to be the species of coliform bacteria that is the best indicator
of fecal pollution and the possible presence of pathogens.
Citrobacter E-Coli Serratia Klebsiella Entero
Are Coliform Bacteria Harmful? Most coliform bacteria do not cause disease. However,
some rare strains of E. coli, particularly the strain 0157:H7, can cause serious illness.
Recent outbreaks of disease caused by E. coli 0157:H7 have generated much public
concern about this organism. E. coli 0157:H7 has been found in cattle, chickens, pigs,
and sheep. Most of the reported human cases have been due to eating under cooked
hamburger. Cases of E. coli 0157:H7 caused by contaminated drinking water supplies are
rare. Water pollution caused by fecal contamination is a serious problem due to the
potential for contracting diseases from pathogens (diseasecausing organisms).
Frequently, concentrations of pathogens from fecal contamination are small, and the
number of different possible pathogens is large. As a result, it is not practical to test for
pathogens in every water sample collected. Instead, the presence of pathogens is
determined with indirect evidence by testing for an "indicator" organism such as coliform
bacteria.
Coliforms come from the same sources as pathogenic organisms. Coliforms are relatively
easy to identify, are usually present in larger numbers than more dangerous pathogens,
and respond to the environment, wastewater treatment, and water treatment similarly to
many pathogens. As a result, testing for coliform bacteria can be a reasonable indication
of whether other pathogenic bacteria are present. A number of bacteria occur naturally in
freshwater streams. Some are found living in the water and sediments as photosynthetic
autotrophs or a saphrophytes living on dead matter. Others exist in or on other
organisms as mutual symbiotes (providing some benefit to the host organisms in
exchange for a place to live), commensuals (neither helping nor harming the host), or
parasites (utilizing the host in a way that causes harm). Certain bacteria that live in the
intestinal tracts of animals are essential for the recovery of nutrients from digested food.
Millions of these naturally occurring organisms are passed out of the body with fecal
wastes.
If pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms are present, they may be passed as well.
When a stream is polluted by fecal material, pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites
may be introduced, posing a health hazard to those who come in contact with the water.
Municipal and rural water supplies can transmit human diseases such as cholera (Vibrio
cholerae), typhoid fever (Salmonella typhi), shigellosis (Shigella), salmonellosis
(Salmonella), and gastroenteritis (Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, Giardia
lamblia). The threat of such disease transmission becomes more serious as the
population density increases and more sewage pollutes public water supplies, carrying
with it human intestinal pathogens. Rather than test water directly for pathogens, which
can be difficult, expensive and even hazardous, researchers use indicator organisms to
assess the possibility of fecal contamination. Fecal coliform bacteria, members of the
family Enterobacteriacae, which include Escherichia coli , Citrobacter, Enterobacter and
Klebsiella species, are often used as indicators.
These gram negative bacilli (rod shaped bacteria) are found in the digestive tracts of all
warm-blooded animals. Most are not pathogenic. However, because they are eliminated
with feces, they are sometimes associated with pathogens such as Vibrio cholera bacteria
or a form of Hepatitus virus that is found in the digestive tract. Total coliform bacteria
counts are sometimes used to test for water contamination also. These organisms are
less precise as fecal contamination indicators because many can live and reproduce in
soil and water, without having a human host. If high numbers of fecal coliform bacteria
are found in a sample of stream water, one may conclude that there has been recent
fecal contamination, although not necessarily human in origin. Other intestinal bacteria,
such as streptococci or enterococci, may have a stronger correlation to human sewage,
but no indicator has been identified that is exclusive to humans.
The ratio of streptococci to fecal coliform was once thought to determine human versus
animal fecal contamination. But, this is no longer though to be reliable because
streptococci do not persist long in an open water environment, making it difficult to
assess true concentrations. Enterococcal bacteria seem to be consistently associated with
human sewage and subsequent diseases, but testing for these organisms involves a
lengthy and complicated procedure. Despite the fact that they can not be linked directly
to contamination by human sewage, fecal coliform bacteria counts are often used to
regulate surface waters for recreational use, shellfishing, and potability (ability to be
safely consumed). Federal regulations stipulate maximun allowable numbers of these
bacteria for various uses.
If fecal coliform counts are high (over 200 colonies per 100 ml of water sample) in the
river or stream, there is a greater chance that pathogenic organisms are also present. A
person swimming in such water has a greater chance of getting sick from swallowing
disease-causing organisms, or from pathogens entering the body through cuts in skin,
the nose, mouth, or the ears. Diseases and illnesses such as typhoid fever, hepatitis,
gastroenteritis, dysentery, and ear infections can be contracted in waters with high fecal
coliform counts.
Coliform Group Bacteria
What are Coliform Group Bacteria?
Coliforms consist of a related group of bacteria species (see table below)
Where are they found?
Two Distinct Sources:
• Human and Animal waste (fecal in origin)- septic systems, sewage, animal yards,
etc.
• Within the environment ("vegetative")- soil, vegetation, sediment, insects etc.
Why test for Coliforms?
• Coliforms are "indicator" organisms associated with bacteriologically polluted
water.
• Their presence in finished water is indicative of contamination & is not tolerated.
• Extensively studied - their presence may be associated with disease causing
organisms.
• Coliform testing does not indicate the presence of specific chemical contaminants
such as pesticides, metals, solvents, gasoline, nitrates, etc.
Differentiating Coliform Group Bacteria
• Total Coliform Test-theoretically indicates the presence of all coliform group
bacteria, both vegetative and fecal in origin
• E. coli - a coliform species found in the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals.
- its presence can be indicative of fresh pollution from human or animal waste
- though normally benign, some E. coli strains may be deadly (0157:H7)
• Fecal Coliform-those that ferment lactose & produce gas at 44.5 +/-0.20C within
24
+/- 2 hours
• Consist of various genera and species of coliforms that are specifically associated
with human or animal waste.
- includes E. coli as well as others
- Fecal Coliform testing can help pinpoint the source of pollution in an aquifer
or watershed and is used to monitor the disinfection of sanitary waste water before
discharge.
Coliform Group Bacteria:
• Total Coliforms:
Escherichia, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Citrobacter
• Fecal Coliforms:
Escherichia, Klebsiella, Citrobacter (60% to 90% of total coliforms are fecal
coliforms) 90%+ of fecal coliforms are Escherichia (usually E. coli)
When the reagent is added to a properly-collected water sample, the liquid remains clear (left hand
photo) if the total Coliform count in the sample is less than 1 colony-forming-unit or 1cfu/100ml and
turns yellow (right hand photo) if the total Coliform count is above 1 cfu/100ml of water in the water
test sample
