2008 – Kalorama (Victoria) – E.coli

Ridge/Monbulk Kalorama – (Victoria) – E.coli

On 21 January 2008, an E. coli test result of 1 organism/100mL was reported in a sample taken at the Kalorama tank in the Ridge/Monbulk water sampling locality. Water quality testing conducted extensively throughout the distribution zone immediately after detection indicated
the problem was localised to this distribution zone. The tank was isolated from the distribution system, drained, inspected and cleaned. The tank was refilled and dosed with chlorine. E. coli was not detected in the subsequent samples.
On 26 March 2008, an E. coli test result of 170 organisms/100mL was reported from a sample taken from a customer tap in the Ridge/Monbulk water sampling locality. Further water
quality testing indicated the problem was localised to the Kalorama Reservoir distribution zone. In response, the tank was isolated from the distribution system, drained, inspected, cleaned and minor repairs completed. The tank was refilled and spot dosed with chlorine. E. coli was not detected in the subsequent additional samples collected across the locality.

Escherichia coli should not be detected in any 100 mL sample of drinking water. If detected
in drinking water, immediate action should be taken including investigation of potential
sources of faecal contamination.

“Coliforms are Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacteria that are capable of aerobic and facultative anaerobic growth in the presence of bile salts or other surface active agents with similar growth-inhibiting properties. They are found in large numbers in the faeces of humans and other warm-blooded animals, but many species also occur in the environment.

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 2011