Why Is This Important?

Coliform bacteria are organisms that are present in the environment and in the feces of all warm-blooded animals and humans. Coliform bacteria will not likely cause illness. However, their presence in drinking water indicates that disease-causing organisms (pathogens) could be in the water system. Most pathogens that contaminate water supplies come from the feces of humans or animals. Testing drinking water for all possible pathogens is complex, time-consuming, and expensive. It is relatively easy and inexpensive to test for coliform bacteria.

Definition

Percent of tested private wells with fecal coliform or E. coli detected

Data Notes

Data Source

How the Measure is Calculated

• Numerator:

  Number of tested private wells with fecal coliform or E. coli detected

• Denominator:

  Number of tested private wells in a specified period of time

Related Risk Factors Indicators:

• Arsenic in Private Wells
• Nitrate in Private Wells
• Gross Alpha in Private Wells
• Mercury in Private Wells
• Private Well Usage: Self-Reported as Main Source of Drinking Water

Health Topic Pages Related to: Fecal Coliform or E. coli in Private Wells

• Water Quality