USGS Water Science Centers are located in each state.
Analytical Methods
OTHER BACTERIA
The Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory analyzes samples for two types of
bacteria that are not standard bacterial indicators.
Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) is a
spore-forming bacterium that is present in human and animal wastes, but in
lower concentrations than standard bacterial indicators. Because spores are
resistant to environmental stress, they may be useful surrogates for other
stress-resistant pathogens.
Actinomycetes are not fecal organisms. They are a group
of bacteria with fungal-type morphology and are nuisance organisms in water
and wastewater treatment processes. Most actinomycetes form chemicals which
impart an earthy-musty odor to public water supplies.
U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
