1. S
Finding Fecal and Total
Coliforms, and Enterococcus
in Water Samples from Cidra
in the River Arroyata
By.
Alejandra Gonzalez
Angeline Figueroa
Mentor: Prof. Javier Arce
2. What are Coliforms?
S A broad class of bacteria found in our environment,
including the feces of man and other warm-blooded
animals.
S The presence of coliform bacteria in drinking water may
indicate a possible presence of harmful, disease-causing
organisms.
3. Total and Fecal
S Total coliforms
S Bacteria that are found in the intestines of animals and in
the environment
S Fecal coliforms
S Are found only in the intestines of animals and these are
endemic in the waters of Puerto Rico
S It is used to know the presence of pathogenic organisms
4. Enterococcus
S Is a genus of lactic acid bacteria
S Two species are common commensal organisms in the
intestines of humans: E. faecalis and E. faecium
S Infections caused by Enterococcus include urinary tract
infections, bacteremia, bacterial endocarditis,
diverticulitis, and meningitis.
5. Parameters for Water from
PRASA
S Solids
S Color, Odor, Turbid, Taste
S Temperature
S pH
6. Problem and Hypothesis
Can we be able to find total and fecal coliforms, and
enterococcus in the waters of the river Arroyata?
We will be able to find coliforms and enterococcus in the
waters of the mentioned river.
12. Materials and Methods
S Collecting the sample (May 3, 2013)
• 6 of 100mL of water
• GPS to identify:
S latitude and longitude
S sample number
S time
• Multimeter to measure temperature and conductivity
• Turbidmeter to measure the turbidity
13. Materials and Methods Cont.
S Analyzing the samples
S Colilert (fecal & total coliform) and Enterolert
(enterococcus)
S Quantity Tray
S Quantity Tray sealer
S Colilert was Incubate for 24h at 35C
S Enterolert was incubated for 24h at 41C
14. Materials and Methods Cont.
S Next Day
S Take out the quantity trays from incubator
S Yellow ones identify TC
S Put them under ultraviolet light to identify FC
S Blue to identify enterococcus
S Count for positive and negative results
15. Results (Location)
ID Time Temp. Conductivit
y
Turbidity North West
66 14:06 27.5 504 0.88 18.19136 66.19357
69 14:23 25 526 1.41 18.19154 66.19356
70 14:55 28.7 501 1.62 18.2085 66.19356
16. Results for Fecal and Total
Coliforms, and Enterococcus
ID TC MPN C MPN Entero MPN
66 2419.6 307.8 344.8
69 2419.6 172.6 579.4
70 2419.6 210.5 156.5
20. Conclusion
S We got positive results in all three samples
S Fecal coliforms were present because these are endemic
in the waters of Puerto Rico
S As far from the town less bacteria we will be able to find
21. Significance
S We can orient people to prevent diseases caused by
fecal and total coliforms or enterococcus.
S Start campaigns to keep our waters clean for the health
of everyone
