X
GO

Water School

About Us   >   Education   >   Water School

Water School

What is fecal coliform bacteria?

Fecal coliform bacteria is one of a collection of relatively harmless bacteria that live in the intestines of all warm blooded animals including humans.  These bacteria normally aid in the digestion of food then pass through the intestines as part of fecal waste.

When aquatic systems are contaminated by human or animal feces, the fecal coliform bacteria (the most common form being Escherichia coli or E coli) can cause a number of waterborne diseases including typhoid fever, viral and bacterial gastroenteritis and hepatitis A.

Tags

E coli, water

Related

Share

Search
Categories

The information provided on this site is intended as background on water within the Brazos River basin. There should be no expectation that this information is all encompassing, complete or in any way examines every aspect of this very complex natural resource.

If you have questions about a post or would like additional information, please contact us or call 888-922-6272.

Tags
conservation rain contract rights gate jobs depth septic system beneficial use clarity algae solids runoff golden algea subwatershed mission agricultural acre-foot corps of engineers water cycle meta tag treatment lawn water farming hunting biosolids pharmaceuticals electricity aerobic corps fertilizer subsidence district fish kill streamflow climate industry drought marsh water planning spring riverine allens creek reservoir lake levels inland mitigation governance streamflow environment water supply authority oxygen chlorine parasite water code measure bed and banks wetlands E coli golden algae contaminants riparian classification xeriscape quality anaerobic system soil mgd channel maps gage legislation emergency use direct re-use recreation costs possum kingdom E. coli effluent gas water rights salt invasive plants landscaping taste camping supply dam estuary TCEQ speaker sludge septic lake level drilling granbury PAM USGS groundwater watershed water clarity acre-feet gulf cfs salinity boating evaporation inundated surface water mainstem water plants agriculture drinking water sediment hydrology dock planning fishing volume impound appropriation wastewater precipitation river storage water treatment fork well kayak dissolved solids smell insurance electric companies sanitation sewage aquifer flood pool stream lake spillway monitor canoeing reservoirs industrial limestone watercourse hydropower pollutants organic employment municipal flood control lake turbidity flood water quality infection tributary use calcium minerals canoe bay environmental hydrologic cycle Board subsidence ground water indirect re-use potable consumption medicine reservoir lakes releases main stem wetland wildlife filter water use permit brackish basin hydrilla habitat map chlorides bottled water