Analytical Methods

STANDARD BACTERIAL INDICATORS

Bacterial indicators are routinely measured by means of membrane-filtration or liquid broth most-probable number techniques.

Total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) are in the total-coliform group.
Total coliforms are found in animal wastes, soils, on vegetation, and in industrial wastes.
Fecal coliforms are total coliforms that are able to grow at elevated temperatures and are often, but not always, associated with fecal contamination.
E. coli is one species in the fecal-coliform group, is a natural inhabitant of the gastrointestinal tract of warmblooded animals, and is used to provide direct evidence of fecal contamination.
Enterococci are a group of bacteria that have a different shape (the cells are round) and survival characteristics than total coliforms. They are generally associated with fecal contamination.

Find out more about the analytical methods used for standard bacterial indicators.

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