What are total coliforms?
Total coliforms are a group of bacteria that are used as the principal indicator for the sanitary quality of water. The presence of any coliform bacteria indicates that the water is unsafe for human consumption. Q. My water was found to contain coliform bacteria. What can I do to correct this problem? If your drinking water supply contains coliform bacteria, it must be disinfected prior to consumption. Refer to the SaskH2O website for details (link provided below). Boiling water for several minutes will kill bacteria present in the water. If you require specific information on your water supplies, please contact the public health Inspector in your Regional Health Authority. Q. What is nitrate and where does it come from? What is the acceptable concentration in drinking water? Nitrate is a stable, oxidized form of nitrogen. Sources of nitrate in water include agricultural fertilizers, domestic sewage, animal manure, decaying matter and natural geological formations. The Canadian Guideli
