Coliform bacteria are used for what?

Coliform bacteria serve as an important indicator of the potential presence of pathogenic organisms in water. Their presence suggests that there may be fecal contamination, which could introduce harmful pathogens that threaten public health. Coliforms are relatively easy and inexpensive to test for, making them a practical choice for monitoring water quality.

Using coliform bacteria as indicators allows wastewater treatment facilities to assess the effectiveness of their processes and determine whether additional treatment or monitoring is necessary to ensure the safety of the water being released into the environment or distributed for consumption. This relevance in public health is why the focus is placed on coliform bacteria as indicators in water quality assessments.