What are coliforms and are they harmful?
Coliforms are generally harmless bacteria that are found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. The presense of coliforms indicates that the water may be unsafe to drink because pathogeacteria are also found in the intestines of animals and humans. This is why coliforms are called indicator organisms. The presence of coliforms in a water sample indicates that pathogenic bacteria may also be present.
