ENUMERATION OF FECAL-COLIFORMS AND ESCHERICHIA-COLI IN NEW-ZEALAND RECEIVING WATERS AND EFFLUENTS

A membrane filter method, mTEC, was evaluated under New Zealand conditions. This method can enumerate both faecal coliforms and Escherichia coli. The mTEC method was compared to MPN methods for faecal coliforms (the New Zealand standard reference method) and for E. coli (a British standard method). It was also compared to the mFC membrane filter method for faecal coliforms, recommended by the American Public Health Association. The mTEC method was found to be a satisfactory alternative to the MPN methods and the mFC method. Samples tested included freshwater, sewage and meat processing plant effluent