What is a coliform?
– A group of closely related bacteria. Measuring coliforms provides an estimate of the degree of fecal contamination from human and animal wastes. Total coliforms include fecal coliforms, common to the intestinal tract of both humans and warm-blooded animals, and non-fecal coliforms that are naturally present in soils and on vegetation. While the presence of coliform bacteria does not necessarily cause disease, it may indicate the presence of pathogens that cause human illness.
