Chapter 4 Water Quality Analysis Enumeration Of Bacteria

Abstract

Various diseases are associated with the presence of microorganisms in water. Enumeration of bacteria is the most widely used method to determine the degree of water contamination. Tests for specific organisms are usually made only when there is a reason to suspect their presence. At other times ‘indicator organisms’ (coliform bacteria) are used to indicate the presence of pathogens [1]. Therefore, the presence of an indicator organism suggests that contamination has occurred. Agar Plate Count or Viable Count and Most Probable Number (MPN) are commonly used to enumerate bacteria in a wastewater sample. The tests involve providing suitable bacterial breeding environments to samples and then noting the growth