What are the negative health effects of drinking or swallowing water that contains coliform bacteria?
Coliform or other bacteria in drinking or swimming water will not necessarily make you ill. However, since these organisms are present, other disease-causing organisms may also be present. Health symptoms related to drinking or swallowing water contaminated with bacteria generally range from no ill effects to cramps and diarrhea (gastrointestinal distress). Two common waterborne diseases are giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis; both cause intestinal illness. E. coli 0157:H7 has also been associated with drinking contaminated water and can cause intestinal illness. In very rare cases, it can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious kidney condition. The bacterial tests performed at the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory do not detect giardia or cryptosporidium, or specify which strains of E.coli are present.
