Fecal coliform

Fecal coliform bacteria are found in the feces of human beings and other warm-blooded mammals, and birds. Fecal coliform by themselves are generally not pathogenic. Pathogenic organisms include bacteria, viruses and parasites that cause diseases and illnesses. Fecal coliform bacteria are already inside of you! They occur naturally in the human digestive tract and aid in the digestion of food. However, when a human being or other warm-blooded animal is infected, pathogenic organisms are found along with fecal coliform bacteria.

If fecal coliform counts are high (over 200 colonies/100 ml of a water sample) in a river or lake, there is a greater chance that pathogenic organisms are also present. If you are swimming in waters with high levels of fecal coliform, you have a greater chance of developing a fever, nausea or stomach cramps from swallowing disease-causing organisms, or from pathogens entering the body through cuts in the skin, the nose, mouth, or ears. Some examples of diseases and illnesses that can be contracted in water with high fecal coliform counts include typhoid fever, hepatitis, gastroenteritis, dysentery and ear infections.

Why not test pathogens? Pathogens are relatively scarce in water, making it time-consuming and expensive to monitor them directly. Instead, we monitor fecal coliform because of the possible correlation between fecal coliform and the probability of contracting a disease from the water.

Why is the level of fecal coliform in the water so high?

If you live in a city or suburb - do you have a separate or combined sewer system? Check it out with your local government!

If you live in a rural setting - do you have septic systems near the river or lake? Are the systems properly maintained?

What were the weather conditions on the previous few days before your fecal coliform measurement?

Have there been any widespread illnesses of human beings in the area recently?

Check out your local map - can you find a sewage treatment plant nearby?

Can you find any cattle feedlots, dairies or barnyards in the watershed? Is the waste from these feedlots properly contained?

What is the cause(s) of your problem? What did you find that led you to this conclusion?

Now is the time for ACTION!