Coliform bacteria are a large group of bacteria that occur naturally throughout the environment. They’re common in soil, lakes, streams and may even be on your skin. However, certain kinds of coliform bacteria are found in human and animal waste.While most types of coliform bacteria are harmless, some can cause illnesses and lead to serious health issues. Tests for coliform bacteria are often performed on water supplies to get a general scan of bacterial contamination. Coliform bacteria are considered “indicator organisms” because their presence indicates the possibility thatother disease-causing bacteria are in the water supply. If the test is positive,it means bacteria are able to find its way into your well or municipal water supply. The next step is using a more specialized fecal coliform test.
Why Test for E.coli Bacteria? E. coli is a type of fecal coliform bacteria found in the intestines of humans and animals. A positive E. colitest result is much more serious than a positive coliform bacteria test because it means human or animal waste is getting into your drinking water. There are hundreds of strains of E. coli. Many E.coli types are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals. However,some strains can create powerful toxins that result in severe illness and death. The most common symptoms are intestinal problems and flu-like symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Symptoms occur most often in children or elderly family members.Because these symptoms are similar to many other human illnesses, it is critical to test your water for the presence of E. coli contamination, especially in private wells. How to test for E. coli bacteria in my water? While most at-home water test kits only test for coliform bacteria, the Health Metric tests specifically for E.coli. The Health Metric Drinking Water test kit includes a simple to use E.coli test that you can perform in your own home. No need to send a water sample to a lab and wait a week for results. Just fill the water sample container and wait for the results. Your water supply should contain no fecal coliform. The Health Metric E. coli test provides a simple Yes or No answer. If your water tests positive for bacterial contamination, a state laboratory or water treatment professional will be able to advise you on the proper steps to decontaminate the water supply. The source of contamination may be a nearby septic system, farm or other source of human or animal waste. You may be required to install a UV sterilizer or chlorination device to ensure your water supply is safe to drink and cook with. The test result may indicate no E. coli contamination. However, state health authorities recommend testing your water supply once a year as a safety measure and to provide peace of mind knowing that your water supply is safe to use!
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