Fecal Coliform
(Mitchell and Stapp, 1992)

Fecal Coliform bacteria are found in the feces of humans and other warm-blooded animals. These bacteria can enter rivers through direct discharge from mammals and birds, from agricultural and storm runoff carrying wastes from birds and mammals, and from human sewage discharge into the water.

Fecal coliform by themselves are not pathogenic. Pathogenic organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause diseases and illnesses. Fecal coliform bacteria naturally occur in the human digestive tract, and aid in the digestion of food. In infected individuals, pathogenic organisms are found along with fecal coliform bacteria.

If fecal coliform counts are high (over 200 colonies/100 ml of water sample) in the river, there is greater chance that pathogenic organisms are also present. A person swimming in such waste has greater chance of getting sick from swallowing disease-causing organisms, or from pathogens entering the body through cuts in the skin, the nose, mouth, or the ears. Disease and illness such as typhoid fever, hepatitis, gastroenteritis, dysentery, and ear infections can be contracted in waters with high fecal coliform counts.

Pathogens are relatively scarce in water, making them difficult and time-consuming to monitor directly. Instead, fecal coliform levels are monitored, because of the correlation between fecal coliform counts and the probability of contracting a disease from the water.

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Updated August 2003