Explain Methods for Coliform Detection in Water?

Sanitary condition of drinking water can be determined by counting the coliform bacteria. It is a reliable and reproducible indicator of faecal contamination in all public water supplies. Both qualitative and quantitative methods can be used. Commonly used methods for coliform detection in water samples are:

i) Most probable number procedure, and

ii) Membrane filtration procedure

Other tests like presence-absence test, coli test, defined substrate test and molecular techniques can be used to detect coliforms in water and other environment. In a well regulated water supply system, coliform tests should be negative. Positive tests indicates a breakdown in purification or distribution system.