Question

´does the presence of coliform bacteria mean that the water is unsafe, or at least a definite pathological risk?

Answer 1

Coliform bacteria occur in environments such as soil and in feces of warm blooded animals and humans. Most of the coliform bacteria directly do not cause infections and some strains of E. coli occur in intestines of humans and animals. in humans, some strains of pathogenic E. coli cause infections ( E. coli O157:H70 and other may act as opportunistic pathogens. Coliforms enter drinking water supplies by contamination of water with fecal matter containing various pathogenic bacteria. it would be difficult to test and identify various pathogens present in water supplies. Thus, detecting coliforms in water supplies indicates the presence of other pathogens and contamination of water supplies.

The detection and eneumeration of coliforms would be easy and inexpensive moreover coliforms act as indicators of water contamination. There are three types of enemerations carried out to detect fecal contamination of water supplies and these include total coliforms, fecal coliforms and eneumeration of E. coli. These are carried out by simple tests and take less time for confirmation of water contamination. Therefore, presence of coliform bacteria in water means it is unsafe to drink and is source of pathological risk.