While more often than not the presence of E. Coli in a water supply does mean human or animal waste has somehow made its way into the sample, it does not guarantee that has happened.

It does, however, still mean a qualified water testing lab such as National Testing Labs should take a look at the quality of the water to determine its potability.

February 24, 2011 – GRAFTON, Mass. – E.coli bacteria has been detected in an untreated water sample collected recently from the Worcester Street well, the Grafton Water District is reporting.

Grafton Water District Manager Matt Pearson stressed that the sample was taken from the well prior to treatment and the well was immediately taken offline. Boiling of water will not be required for Grafton residents.

The wells are routinely monitored for drinking water contaminants to ensure the safety of the water supply. On Feb. 24, the district was notified that a fecal indicator, E.coli bacteria, was detected in one untreated water sample collected on Feb. 22 from the Worcester Street well.

Samples collected on the same date from Grafton’s drinking water — samples taken after the routine treatment with chlorine disinfectant — did not detect any fecal contaminants.

Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. ( source )

While definitely something to keep an eye on, other things besides coliform bacteria in drinking water also serve as indicators that drinking water contamination may have occurred.

Simple tests for changes in pH, alkalinity and heavy metals — for literally pennies per test in some cases — can alert consumers to potentially dangerous changes in the quality of their water.

With testing supplies as inexpensive as they have become, it makes little to no sense for people not to take an interest in the quality of the water they drink.

According to the EPA web site, “Coliforms are naturally present in the environment; as well as feces; fecal coliforms and E. coli only come from human and animal fecal waste.”

That means coliforms will occur in the absence of fecal matter, or fecal matter contamination, but they may not necessarily indicate that a water supply will make a person sick. The presence of coliforms in a water supply do, however, give good reason for a person to have their water tested by a certified water testing lab — to check for the presence of E. Coli.

Testing for Coliform Bacteria

First and foremost we want to stress that you should trust the results of no test other than an analysis performed by a certified water testing laboratory to tell you that your water supply definitely contains no harmful E. Coli bacteria.

At-home drinking water test kits containing a product such as the EZ Coliform Bacteria Test still serve a purpose, though, since they allow well owners and concerned municipal water customers to perform on-the-spot field tests for coliforms without having to come out of pocket for expensive lab test each time they would like to check on the quality of their water.

Basically speaking, if an inexpensive test kit like the EZ Coliform Bacteria Test Kit yields positive results, concerned parties should then seek the assistance of a certified water testing lab.

Can at-home test kits detect E. Coli, too?

As a matter of fact, the EZ Coliform Bacteria Test Kit can positively identify E. Coli in a water supply when used in conjunction with a UV light source such as the Sensafe NVF-4 Handheld UV Light.

If after the 24 to 48 hour waiting period the sample gives off an iridescence when exposed to ultraviolet light, it contains E. Coli.

One could also use something called a Kovacs Reagent with the to EZ Coliform Bacteria Test Kit confirm the presence of E. Coli in a water sample.

Newspapers and television keep mentioning the risks associated with E Coli poisoning from water and food. I know we can test our well for E Coli, but what about food? Can we test the food we buy for E Coli? What steps can we take at home to prevent E Coli food poisoning?

You’ve asked an excellent question, Cindy. Many people associate E. Coli poisoning only with food or only with drinking water when, in fact, a person can get sick from E. Coli poisoning from both.

You mentioned testing your well water for the presence of E. Coli bacteria and that definitely makes sense. While not all E. Coli bacteria pose a threat to humans, the presence of E. Coli at all signals the need for a more through analysis of the water and/or a sanitizing of the well.

Little known fact: Not all strands of Coliform Bacteria harm humans

We do not know of any simple ways to test food for the the presence of E. Coli bacteria, though one COULD test the water used to wash produce and meats before cooking for bacteria…

The Mayo Clinic had this to say regarding ways to prevent the possible spread of E. Coli at home:

“No vaccine or medication can protect you from E. coli-based illness, though researchers are investigating potential vaccines. To reduce your chance of being exposed to E. coli, avoid risky foods and avoid cross-contamination.

Risky foods

Avoid pink hamburger. Hamburgers should be well-done. Meat, especially if grilled, is likely to brown before it is completely cooked, so use a meat thermometer to ensure that meat is heated to at least 160 F (71 C) at its thickest point. If you don’t have a thermometer, cook ground meat until no pink shows in the center.

* Drink pasteurized milk, juice and cider. Any boxed or bottled juice kept at room temperature is likely to be pasteurized, even if the label doesn’t say so.

* Wash raw produce thoroughly. Although washing produce won’t necessarily eliminate all E. coli – especially in leafy greens, which provide many spots for the bacteria to attach themselves – careful rinsing can remove dirt and reduce the amount of bacteria that may be clinging to the produce.

Avoid cross-contamination

* Wash utensils. Use hot, soapy water on knives, counter tops and cutting boards before and after they come into contact with fresh produce or raw meat.

* Keep raw foods separate. This includes using separate cutting boards forraw meat and foods, such as vegetables and fruits. Never put cooked hamburgers on the same plate you used for raw patties.

* Wash your hands. Wash your hands after preparing or eating food, using the bathroom or changing diapers. Make sure that children also wash their hands before eating, after using the bathroom and after contact with animals.”

Source: www.mayoclinic.com

For those interested in testing their water for bacteria, the following two tests work well for drinking water applications:

For those interested in performing field testing for additional parameters in their water, kits such as the WaterSafe Well Water Test Kit include a test for coliform bacteria as well as tests for other critical water parameters such as Copper, Lead, Nitrites, Nitrates, Pesticides and more.

Heavy rains, run-off and flooding are the most likely culprits for recent water testing results that indicated some coves and the public beaches in Lake of the Ozarks State Park had elevated levels of E.coli.

The cove testing is being done through a partnership with the Lake of the Ozarks Watershed Alliance, the Missouri Departments of Conservation and Natural Resources and AmerenUE. The samples taken at the state park are handled by DNR and are done on a weekly basis. Although sampled separately, the testing results produced some similarities when it came to E.coli levels.

According to Susanne Medley, communications director for DNR, the ongoing testing being done at Lake of the Ozarks indicates heavy rainfall events will cause a jump in the amount of E.coli found in the water.

Heavy rains were reported in the lake area throughout the late spring and early summer.
Runoff from heavy rains may transport waste found in soil from faulty septic tanks or sewer systems, wastewater treatment facilities, large concentrations of waterfowl, and animal waste and manure, she said. ( source )

Curious to know if the water in your favorite swimming hole contains dangerously unsafe bacteria levels? Use of a kit such as the Water Check Bacteria Test Kit can help.

as always, though, keep in mind that NOTHING takes the place a water test performed by a licensed, certified water testing laboratory and that do-it-yourself bacteria test kits serve as a screening tool only.