Coliforms or indicator microorganisms are present in the intestinal tracts of warm blooded animals, including
humans1 and therefore can be excreted in the feces of these animals, although there have been some associations
between high levels of indicator bacteria and disease outbreaks2. The occurrence of coliforms in surface water
has been used as an indicator of fecal contamination, signaling the possible presence of fecal pathogens such as
Salmonella and Shigella species3. This is due, in part, to the observed correlation between elevated bacterial
counts in water and the rate of occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms or diseases.