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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1975 April; 29(4): 532-536
Copyright © 1975 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Improved Membrane Filter Method for Fecal Coliform Analysis

^* Millipore Corporation, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730, National Environmental Research Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio 45286, and Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01002

ABSTRACT

A two-layer agar method has been developed which consistently yields higher recovery of fecal coliforms on membrane filters when compared to the existing membrane fecal coliform procedure. This method has been evaluated by three laboratories using samples of raw and chlorinated waste water, and reservoir, river, and marine waters. Verification of 1,013 fecal coliform colonies isolated from 61 water samples averaged 92% on this proposed procedure. Comparison with the Standard Methods membrane fecal coliform procedure revealed the two-layer agar method had an overall increased sensitivity to fecal coliform detection in these waters. It is therefore proposed that this procedure be evaluated as an alternative to the Standard Methods fecal coliform membrane Filter test in the examination of chlorinated secondary effluents, marine waters, and any natural waters that may contain pollutants with heavy metal ions.