15/12/20 – Cape Hillsborough Reticulation. Mackay & Sarina Scheme (Queensland) – E.coli

Dec 15 2020: E. coli was detected in a sample collected from the Cape Hillsborough reticulation sample point as part of the routine drinking water verification monitoring program. It is believed the E. coli detection was due to in field contamination with a frog and gecko excrement identified within the sample tap box at the time of sample collection. In response to this incident sterilisation practices detailed in in the Drinking Water Sampling procedure were reviewed and updated.

Thermotolerant coliforms are a sub-group of coliforms that are able to grow at 44.5 ± 0.2°C. E. coli is the most common thermotolerant coliform present in faeces and is regarded as the most specific indicator of recent faecal contamination because generally it is not capable of growth in the environment. In contrast, some other thermotolerant coliforms (including strains of Klebsiella, Citrobacter and Enterobacter) are able to grow in the environment and their presence is not necessarily related to faecal contamination. While tests for thermotolerant coliforms can be simpler than for E. coli, E. coli is considered a superior indicator for detecting faecal contamination…” ADWG