What is Coliform bacteria and should its presence in water be of concern?
Coliform is a family of bacteria common in soils, plants, animals and water. The coliform family is made up of several groups, one of which is the fecal coliform group, which is found in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals including humans. Coliform bacteria are a valuable tool in the drinking water industry. We use coliform bacteria as an indicator organism. If we detect coliform bacteria in the drinking water, then there is a strong possibility that a pathogenic organism is also present. (A pathogen is a disease causing bacteria.) When we see a Coliform bacteria in water we then extend and refine the analysis process to specifically test for fecal coliform bacteria. One of the harmful coliform bacteria that we hear about in the news is the Escherichia Coli pronounciation: “eshhh-sure-ree-she-yah”, then “Coal-eye”, or the shortened version, simply, E. Coli. E. Coli (from fecal matter). Many times we hear a recall on raw hamburger and chicken even vegetables because of danger
