E-Coli and Coliform

by John

Coliforms consist of a related group of different bacteria species. Coliforms are found in two distinct sources. You will find them in human and animal wastes. You can also find it in within the environment (soil, vegetation etc.).

Coliform
Why do we test for Coliforms? Coliforms are the “indicator” organisms to tell you if the water is bacteriologically polluted. If there is a large amount of Coliform in the water, it is unhealthy. The fewer the Coliforms, the healthier the water.

E-Coli

E. Coli, or Escherichia coli, is a Coliform group bacteria. These rod-shaped bacteria are found in the intestinal track of warm-blooded animals. It is also the indicator of fresh pollution from human and animals.
A German pediatrician, named Theodor Escherich, first discovered E. Coli in 1885. Thus, it has its name, Escherichia coli.

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How we test for Coli form and E. Coli.

The way we test for Coliform and E. Coli is by using a syringe or pipette to suck up some water from the creek. Then, we squirt the water from the syringe onto a substance that changes and reacts over the course of a week or so, and after that, they form colonies (which look like little dots). These colonies appear to be red and blue. The colonies are only the “dots” that have air bubbles on the sides. And anything else does not count as a colony.