The Colilert (CL) and Coliquik (CQ) systems were compared in a presence-absence format against the
Standard Methods membrane filtration (MF) technique to determine whether differences existed in total
coliform detection. Approximately 750 water samples were collected from distribution systems, covered and
uncovered storage reservoirs, well sites, and the influent to drinking water treatment plants. Samples were
analyzed for total coliforms and heterotrophic bacteria with MF, CL, and CQ. The agreements between CL
and MF and between CQ and MF were both greater than 94.8%, which indicates that both may be acceptable
methods for total coliform detection. Disagreement between the CL and CQ methods was primarily due to
false-negative results. Furthermore, laboratory and field inoculation methods were compared for CL, more
than 98% agreement was obtained. This finding indicates that sampling and immediate field inoculation may
be an alternative to the traditional laboratory inoculation.