Water Microbiology (E. coli, Coliforms, Enterococcus)

E. coli and Enterococcus are the basic indicators that water has suffered faecal contamination; they must be absent in 100 ml of drinking water. Coliform bacteria reflect the general cleanliness of the distribution system.

The analysis is done by membrane filtration: 100 ml of water is filtered, incubated on selective medium and characteristic colonies are counted. The result is given within two working days.

• Monthly or quarterly monitoring is recommended for water tanks, well water and network end points
• It must be delivered in a sterile bottle, with sodium thiosulphate for chlorinated water, within 24 hours
• Disinfection and re-analysis recommendations in case of a positive result

With a regular monitoring contract the sample bottles are delivered to your door every month and the samples are collected by courier; results are presented with an annual trend chart.