same unit also is sometimes used for wastewater, so that this number of coliforms would
be 10
8
per 100 mL.) They are used rout inely to monitor the microbial safety of drinking
water supplies. Total coliform counts also may be helpful in evaluating the feca l contam-
ination of some foods and the disinf ection efficiency for wastewaters. Both an MPN and
an alternative membrane filtration procedure are available (Section 11.5.2).
Fecal Coliforms Since not all coliforms are of fecal origin, it would be useful to have a
test that was more selective and included only fecal bacteria. The fecal coliform test
attempts to achieve this mainly by incubation at 4 4.5
C, hoping by the higher temperature
to eliminate bacteria that are better adapted to the lower soil and water temperatures of the
ambient environment. The test is partia lly successful in meeting its goals. It is estimated
that about 90% of the coliforms that grow at 44.5
C are of fecal origin (10% false
positives); however, only about 90% of the coliforms of feca l origin can grow at the
elevated temperature (10% false negatives). Additionally, precise control of the tempera-
ture is critical, as even 0.5
C higher can prevent the growth of many fecal coliforms, while
slightly lower temperatures allow the growth of more nonfecal organisms.
Fecal coliforms are considered good indicators for outdoor swimming pools and
recreational waters. (See also the fecal coliform/fecal strep ratio, below.) Again, both
MPN and membrane filtration methods can be used.
Fecal Streptococci/Ent erococci Although also operationally defined, the fecal strepto-
cocci consist mainly of Streptococcus faecalis, S. faecium, S. avium, S. bovis, S. equinus,
and S. gallinarum; the enterococci include only S. faecalis, S. faecium, S. aviu m, and
S. gallinarum. The first two species tend to be more common in humans and rats, whereas
the others tend to be more common in chickens, cattle, horses, and dome stic fowl (birds),
respectively. However, they are not truly host-species speci fic.
The fecal streptococci are common inhabitants of the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded
animals. In fact, humans are atypical in that they usually have a greater number of coli-
forms than fecal streptococci; in most other species, the fecal streptococci are more
numerous. Thus, for fresh contamination (the ratio changes with age), a fecal coliform/
fecal streptococci ratio of 4 may be considered indicative of human pollution, whereas a
ratio 0.7 suggests an animal source.
The enterococci are now usually considered the best indicator for recreational surface
waters, particularly ocean beaches. Once again, both MPN and membrane filtration meth-
ods are available. Incubation is at 35
C for 24 to 48 hours, depending on the test used.
Heterotrophic Plate Count The heterotrophic plate count (HPC), sometimes called
the standard or total plate count, uses a nonselective medium in an attempt to include
as many of the bacteria present as possible. Incubation is at 35
C for 48 hours or at 20
to 28
C for 5 to 7 days. One use of the HPC is that increases can indicate problems in
water treatment processes or potable water distribution systems. High counts in indoor
pools indicate poor disinfection and/or overuse or inadequate cleaning. Available tests
include pour plate, spread plate, and membrane filtration methods.
Specific Organisms In some cases, tests for specific organisms may be desirable. For
example, in indoor swimming pools and whirlpools or spas, tests for Pseudomonas aer-
uginosa and Staphylococcus are recommended. These organisms serve not only as indi-
cators of microbial loadings from skin and mucous membranes, but are themselves
384 EFFECT OF MICROBES ON HUMAN HEALTH