What is so harmful about fecal coliform?
Actually, the fecal coliforms themselves usually aren’t dangerous to life. However, when fecal coliform are present, other parasites that do pose a threat are usually also present. The fecal coliform test acts an indicator to these harmful bugs. Anyway, significant disease problems can arise in humans such as diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever, tetanus, Escherichia coli, hepatitis A, and shigella, and others. Most enter through open wounds, but some can be ingested, and a few will even tunnel through the skin. Large numbers of fecal coliform are also detrimental to other life and make the water less desirable for all sorts of activities. How does fecal coliform enter the water? Improperly treated wastewater from municipal systems, septic systems, or combined sewer outflows. Runoff from animal stockyards, pastures, and range land. Inadequately captured wastes from human activities (such as construction or camping). What can we do to improve contaminated waters? Enforcement of r
