All natural waters contain bacteria, usually as a result of contact with the soil. Most of these bacteria are quite harmless however, some types of bacteria which can be found in faeces, both animal and human, can cause illness. The two organisms, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Intestinal Enterococci (I.E.), occur in very large numbers in the gut of warm-blooded animal and human faeces.
E. coli and I.E. are analysed in assessing bathing waters compliance because they are used as ‘indicator’ organisms where their presence in large numbers in bathing waters is a warning of a possible health risk from other harmful bacteria and viruses which might be present.
E. coli provide a good indicator of pollution in fresh waters while in seawater I.E. provide a better indicator of pollution as they survive for longer periods. E. coli and I.E. can survive for several days up to several weeks in waters.
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