Charateristics of Klebsiella from textile finishing plant effluents.

Abstract

tion of water and, thus, the probable pres ence of enteric pathogens therein. The assumption that the density of coliforms is directly and quantitatively related to the degree of fecal pollution has led to the use of coliform criteria and standards for the sanitary quality of water. The coliform group is very heterogeneous and contains biotypes not related to fecal sources, how ever. These nonfecal coliform biotypes, frequently associated with stormwater run off,1 have a tendency to inflate the coliform count and lead to overestimation of the potential health hazard. Conversely, the inclusion in the coliform group of organ isms not associated with feces probably has led to inflated numerical criteria and stan dards. Thus, when all of the coliforms are derived from fecal sources, an underesti mate of a potential health hazard may occur.