A group of bacteria found in the intestines and faeces of most animals and sometimes in untreated water.
A family of bacteria (germs) which occur in large numbers in our intestines and faeces (poo). If found in water, it means the water has been recently contaminated by faeces. One coliform, Escherichia coli or E. coli, is used as an indicator of whether water is polluted by faeces.
a general term applied to some species of bacteria, especially E. coli, whose presence in water is an indication of contamination
a group of generally harmless bacteria which may be faecal or environmental in origin.
Total coliform bacteria are used as a scientific indicator of the quality of drinking water and of the possible presence of disease causing micro-organisms. They are measured in colony forming units per 100 mL
organisms that grow in the colon and are used to indicate the presense of sewage in a water source.
A class of bacteria commonly found in feces of warm-blooded animals. Used to detect fecal contamination.
Bacteria that are used to indicate the presence of pathogens from faecal contamination of water. They are not generally pathogenic themselves.
All aerobic and facultative anaerobic, gram-negative, nonsporeforming, rod-shaped bacteria that ferment lactose with gas formation within 48 hours at 95 F (35 C).
gram - rods which ferment lactose, nonsporeforming
Bacteria that live in the intestines (including the colon) of humans and other animals: used as a measure of the presence of feces in water or soil.