Is it safe to drink water with coliforms?

Total coliform bacteria are common in the environment (soil or vegetation) and are generally harmless. If a lab detects only total coliform bacteria in drinking water, the source is probably environmental and fecal contamination is unlikely.

What is a high level of coliform in water?

If the total coliform count is high, then it is very possible that harmful germs like viruses, bacteria, and parasites might also be found in the water. Fecal coliform bacteria are a specific kind of total coliform.

What is a coliform count?

Total coliform counts give a general indication of the sanitary condition of a water supply. Total coliforms include bacteria that are found in the soil, in water that has been influenced by surface water, and in human or animal waste.

What is total coliform bacteria?

Total coliforms is a term used to measure the amount of coliform bacteria in drinking water and other substances consumed by humans. Coliforms are a large class of micro-organisms that are found in human and animal fecal matter and are used to determine whether the drinking water or other substance may have other disease-causing organisms in it.

What are some of the bacteria found in tap water?

Tap water, though treated and deemed safe for human consumption, still contains a certain level of bacteria. These types of bacteria can usually be broken into one of just a few groups: iron bacteria, sulfur bacteria and coliform bacteria being the most common.

What does coliform mean in water?

Coliform is a bacteria that is present in nature and occurs in all human and animal waste. The bacteria itself is not considered harmful, however the coliform bacteria in drinking water can indicate a possible presence of harmful, disease-causing organisms. These organisms are called pathogens and can be viruses, protozoa or bacteria.