The EPA Total Coliform Rule (TCR), published in 1989, set health goals and the legal limit for the presence of total coliform in drinking water. TCR mandates all public water systems to monitor for coliform as an indicator organism to indicate the presence of more harmful pathogens. Total coliform is a set of bacteria with the ability to ferment lactose, producing both acid and gas byproducts when incubated at 35°C for 48 hours. Fecal coliform is a subgroup of total coliform that are able to thrive at 44.5°C. Total coliform includes species such as Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Citrobacter and Escherichia.
Standard Plate Count is a method to determine the total number of heterotrophic bacteria colonies in a specific amount of aqueous sample.
H2M Labs also monitors local marine waters as part of the New York State Sanitary code. Enterococcus is used as the primary bacteriological indicator with sampling required weekly during the swim season.
H2M Labs is the largest drinking water laboratory in New York State and as a way to ensure client compliance with local and federal regulations, we have developed systems to monitor mandated collection frequency and health department notification requirements.
H2M Labs utilizes various methods to detect bacteria; see our test list for more details.
Please contact our Project Management team to discuss your sampling needs or project specific requirements.
