What are total coliforms? What are fecal coliforms?
Total coliforms are common in the environment and are generally not harmful themselves. The presence of these bacteria in drinking water, however, generally is a result of a problem with water treatment or the pipes which distribute the water, and indicates that the water may be contaminated with organisms that can cause disease. The presence of fecal coliforms in drinking water is serious because they are usually associated with sewage or animal wastes. The presence of these bacteria in drinking water is generally a result of a problem with water treatment or the pipes which distribute the water, and indicates that the water may be contaminated with organisms that can cause disease. Your water system tests for these bacteria routinely. If the EPA’s safety standards for these contaminants are exceeded, your system will take action to correct the deficiency and, in the interim, issue an alert with guidance on how to protect yourself and your family.
