The five of us have been assigned to tell you about coliform bacteria in your water. Coliform bacteria is a living organism that is an indicator for bad water. The existence of coliform bacteria means there possibly might be harmful bacteria such as Giardia, or Cryptospordium. If you have coliform bacteria in your water you may need to take steps for treatment or find a new water source. We hope you find the following information helpful and it encourages you to have your water tested.

A coliform bacterium lives in the intestines of any warm-blooded animal. It has no nutritional value.

Coliform bacteria itself is not usually harmful to humans because it is naturally found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. A coliform bacterium is an indicator for the concentration of raw sewage and presence of disease causing bacteria.

Water is unsafe for drinking if four or more Coliform bacteria are found per 100 mL of water. Counts above 2300 per 100 mL are unsafe for swimming, and counts above 10,000 per 100 mL are unsafe for boating.

The earth filters drinking water by seeping it through the soil. After passing through 20 feet of soil, water is usually clear of bacteria and harmful organisms.

Usually the existence of Coliform bacteria in your eater is because of a defective well. Causes are missing well caps, seepage through well casings, seepage along outside of well casings, and well flooding.

Other sources of contamination are dead animals in the water supply and constant wet conditions around the well.

Millipore Filtration System Phosphate Buffer Rinse      

Millipore Filter Paper Autoclave

Tweezers Bunsen Burner                                              

Petri Dish Water to be tested

Alcohol Bacteria Incubator