What is the difference between total coliform, E.coli and non-coliform bacteria?
Total coliform bacteria are a group of easily cultured organisms used to indicate water quality. The US Environmental Protection Agency considers any total coliform to be unacceptable in drinking water. Total coliform bacteria consist of environmental and fecal types. Coliforms are easy to isolate, present in larger numbers and usually survive longer in an aquatic environment than viruses, parasites and more serious types of bacteria. Most of the total coliforms are not considered pathogens under normal conditions. E. coli is a species of coliform bacteria that is directly linked to fecal contamination by the wastes of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Some strains are pathogens in humans. Non-coliform bacteria are mainly environmental organisms and in large numbers can compete with total coliform and make it difficult for coliform(s) to be detected. High levels of non-coliform bacteria indicate a reduction in water quality. It is common for new wells or new plumbing to have high
Total coliform bacteria are a group of easily cultured organisms used to indicate water quality. The US Environmental Protection Agency considers any total coliform to be unacceptable in drinking water. Total coliform bacteria consist of environmental and fecal types. Coliforms are easy to isolate, present in larger numbers and usually survive longer in an aquatic environment than viruses, parasites and more serious types of bacteria. Most of the total coliforms are not considered pathogens under normal conditions. E. coli is a species of coliform bacteria that is directly linked to fecal contamination by the wastes of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Some strains are pathogens in humans. Non-coliform bacteria are mainly environmental organisms and in large numbers can compete with total coliform and make it difficult for coliform(s) to be detected. High levels of non-coliform bacteria indicate a reduction in water quality. It is common for new wells or new plumbing to have high
