What is Feacal E. coli?

E. coli (Escherichia coli) is a type of feacal coliform bacteria commonly found in the intestines of animals and humans. The presence of E. coil in water is a strong indication of sewage and / or animal waste contamination. 

The presence of E coli indicates that there is a risk for other disease forming organism to be present over time, and the water should be treated.

Surface water, for example, rivers, lakes, dams and reservoirs, tend to have high E coli.

Rain water collection will pick up E coli from the roofs of houses and greenhouses, due to the prescence of birds.  Rain water should be put through a proper treatment  before drinking.

E coli should not be present in borehole water or well water.  Protect your underground water source from inflow of surface water.  Do not dig wells/borehole too close to sewage plants, pit latrines etc.

Protect your surface water source from animals by locating water troughs away from your source water, and fencing.