Comparison of four-hour and twenty-four-hour refrigerated storage of nonpotable water for fecal coliform analysis

Abstract

The problem of extending the storage time of water samples for fecal coliform analysis was addressed. Included in this report is a literature review of the storage problem. Twenty-eight samples were analyzed in replicate to determine the effect of 24-h storage of water samples at 40C. A new statistical approach to data analysis, coupled with the concept of practical acceptability, is presented. According to our results, many samples can successfully be stored at 4°C for 24 h.

Bacteria associated with false-positive most-probable-number coliform test results for shellfish and estuaries

“…The coliform MPN index is widely accepted, although it is recognized that there are technical, interpretive, and microbiological problems associated with its application (4,6,9,22,23,29,31,41,44,45,51,63,66). Procedures for carrying out the MPN test that have improved selectivity and efficiency have been developed.…”

A-1 medium: alternative technique for fecal coliform organism enumeration in chlorinated wastewaters

“…Samples were immediately chilled to less than 4'C and tested within 24 h of collection time. Although Standard Methods mandates a maximum 6to 8-h holding time for this type of sample, we chose the 24-h limit since the original A-1 medium work by Andrews and Presnell (2) used a 24-h limit, and Standridge and Lesar (8) showed that carefully iced samples from chlorinated domestic sewage effluents, similar to those used in this study, showed little difference in fecal coliform counts between 8 and 24 h of storage.…”