A consensus: microbial source tracking (MST) in water

Abstract

Traditionally, water quality regulation and protection of public health has relied on culture-based methods that quantify faecal indicators such as the coliforms. Since Escherichia coli represents over 97% of the thermotolerant coliforms, it has been used extensively as a key indicator of faecal contamination in water testing industry. However the presence of E. coli or other coliforms (and more recently enterococci) does not provide any information regarding the source of contamination and therefore is not always an effective indicator of actual risk to humans. While human/animal faecal contamination of water can pose a serious health risk to public, the risk can be managed more efficiently and effectively if the source is known. In this respect, microbial source tracking (MST) can be used as an efficient tool by water managers to improve management of public health.