Fecal Coliform

Anna Farris, Audrey Jameson, Danielle Harris, Annabel Dwyer

What is Fecal Coliform, and what does it cause?
Large amounts of fecal coliform
Result of fecal waste from warm
can arise a higher risk to
blooded animals, plants, or simple
pathogens.
run off in bodies of water.
Pathogens that possibly coexist
Water quality test that measures
with fecal coliform can cause ear
the concentration of coliform
infections, dysentery, typhoid fever
bacteria, going along with the
High levels can influence the
presence of possible disease
dissolved oxygen in the water to
inducing organisms.
the point where fish can no longer
survive with such low levels.
The highest acceptable amount of
fecal coliform in water is 1> /
100ml
The Effects on Biodiversity
Emits pathogens that infect people/animals exposed to them when playing in
water, accidentally swallowing the water, or eat them in contaminated shellfish
Exposes aquatic plants to high levels of nitrate/phosphate, causes overgrowth of
plants
An overgrowth of plants depletes oxygen other organisms need, affects the
Ph balance, and interferes with recreational activities like boating, fishing,
etc
creates a chain of events that creates an unbalance in necessary factors in the
environment
Causes
Septic pet waste; animal poop
Disconnected sanitary sewers
Polluted stormwater runoff
Farm animal wastes
 Solutions
Make people aware
Dispose of pet waste responsibly
Avoid discarding fecal matter in lakes and other bodies of
water
Clean run-off

Last Resort
Filtration- can remove sediment that may contain bacteria
Chlorination- adding chlorine to the water in order to disinfect
it, most common, but is negatively affecting organic matter
Similar Instances
The Chicago River was contaminated with
fecal coliform in 2015. Locals kayak and
eat by the lake constantly so the fecal
matter in the river was a threat to many.
The cause seems to be debris flushed into
the river from storm drains and run offs
after storms. They plan to clean
the water using germ-zapping
disinfectant equipment.
 Why YOU should care!
A strain of E. Coli can cause dangerous
outbreaks and illnesses
If coliform is found in water other
disease-causing organisms could be present
Drinking the contaminated water could
range from no effects to cramps and
diarrhea
Sources
Oram, PG Mr. Brian. "The Total and Fecal Coliform Bacteria Test Is a Primary Indicator of "potability" ,
Suitability for Consumption, of Drinking Water. It Measures the Concentration of Total Coliform
Bacteria Associated with the Possible Presence of Disease Causing Organisms." Fecal Coliform Bacteria
Testing, Disease Causing Bacterial Test Kits,and Microorganisms in Drinking Water. N.p., n.d. Web. 29
Mar. 2017.
"Fecal Coliform Bacteria." Encyclopedia of Environment and Society (n.d.): n. pag. Web.
"Fecal Coliform Bacteria." Fecal Coliform Bacteria Water Quality Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar.
2017.
2016, December. "Inks Lake Water Quality Index." Important Notice - Important Notice - Important
Notice - Important Notice Important Notice - Important Notice - Important Notice - Important Notice
(n.d.): n. pag. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.
"Total and Fecal Coliform Bacteria." Ohio Department of Health, n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.
Statistics