Coliform Bacteria
Coliform bacteria are nonpathogens present in fecal matter. The presence of coliform bacteria in a water supply indicates fecal contamination (sewage has contaminated the water). Coliform bacteria have the following properties:
- Facultative aerobes
- Gram negative
- non-sporeforming rods
- lactose-fermenting
- typically not pathogenic
- predominantly E. coli
- used as an indicator of contamination of the water supply