WATER QUALITY - DETECTION AND ENUMERATION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI AND COLIFORM BACTERIA - PART 1: MEMBRANE FILTRATION METHOD (ISO 9308-1:2000, COR. 1:2007, IDT)
This Malaysian Standard describes a reference method (Standard Test) for the detection and enumeration of Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria in water for human consumption. The method is based on membrane filtration, subsequent culture on a differential agar medium and calculation of the number of target organisms in the sample.
The Standard Test has a low selectivity, allowing the detection of injured bacteria. Due to the low selectivity, background growth can interfere with the reliable enumeration of coliform bacteria and E. coli, for example in some drinking waters, like shallow well waters, that have not been disinfected and yield a high background growth. This Malaysian Standard is therefore especially suitable for disinfected water and other drinking waters of low bacterial numbers.
This Malaysian Standard includes a rapid method (Rapid Test) for the detection of E. coli only within 24 h in water for human consumption, which can be useful in special cases when informatio