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Bacteriology

North Coast Labs offers a number of bacteriological tests that can assist you in determining the quality of your water. The most basic test for bacterial contamination of a water supply is the test for total coliform bacteria. Coliform bacteria are abundant in the environment—some species inhabit soil, some live on plants, and some reside in the gut and feces of warm-blooded animals. Most coliform bacteria species are harmless. They are easily cultured in the laboratory and therefore they are a good indicator species. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most abundant fecal coliform found in human waste and is considered the best indicator of fecal pollution and the possible presence of pathogens.

Matrix Analysis Method Reporting
Limit
Reporting
Units
Test
Duration
Potable Total Coliform & E. coli SM 9223 **
Presence/Absence
  Present/Absent 24 hrs
Potable Total Coliform & E. coli SM 9223 **
QuantiTray 2000
1.0-2,420 MPN/100 mL 24 hrs
Potable Heterotrophic Plate Count SM 9215*
HPC
1.0 CFU/mL 48 hrs
Potable Heterotrophic Plate Count SimPlate * 0.20 MPN/mL 48 hrs
Source Total Coliform & E. coli SM 9223 *
Presence/Absence
  Present/Absent 24 hrs
Source Total Coliform & E. coli SM 9223 *
QuantiTray 2000
1.0-2,420 MPN/100 mL 24 hrs
Source Total & Fecal Coliform SM 9221 *
3x5 MTF
1.8-1,600 MPN/100 mL 48-96 hrs
Source Heterotrophic Plate Count SM 9215 *
HPC
1.0 CFU/mL 48 hrs
Source Heterotrophic Plate Count SimPlate * 0.20 MPN/mL 48 hrs
Wastewater Total & Fecal Coliform 3x5 SM 9221 *
3x5 MTF
1.8-1,600 MPN/100 mL 48-96 hrs
Wastewater Total & Fecal Coliform 4x5 SM 9221 *
4x5 MTF
1.8-16,000 MPN/100 mL 48-96 hrs
Wastewater Total & Fecal Coliform 5x5 SM 9221 *
5x5 MTF
1.8-160,000 MPN/100 mL 48-96 hrs
Soil/sludge Total & Fecal Coliform 4x5 SM 9221
4x5 MTF
1.8-16,000 MPN/100 mL 48-96 hrs
Soil/sludge Total & Fecal Coliform 5x5 SM 9221
5x5 MTF
1.8-160,000 MPN/100 mL 48-96 hrs

All aqueous samples should be collected in 125 mL plastic, sterile, sealed and preserved containers.

* Maximum holding time is 8 hours

** Maximum holding time is 30 hours

 

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