Total Coliforms are a family of bacteria commonly found in the environment. Some members of the family come from the environment and other members from intestines of humans and other warm-blooded animals. Due to their widespread occurrence in most soil and water environments, they are no longer regarded as the most reliable indicator of human or animal contamination. E. coli is now regarded as a more important indicator organism for public health.

A count of all the coliform type bacteria present in the sample of bathing water.

The group of bacteria used as warm-blooded animal fecal pollution indicator organisms of drinking water quality. Total coliforms are regulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency.