2012 March + 2015 March – Yallourn North (Victoria) – E.coli

March 2012: Yallourn North – E.coli 

In March 2012 an E. coli non-compliance results were recorded in the Yallourn North sampling locality, with a result of 11 organisms /100mL in the respective samples above the limit of 0 organisms/100mL. The sample was located at a customer tap. Compliance with the SDWR for
E. coli results was achieved in the Yallourn North sampling area even though positive results were recorded. The SDWR (2005) require at least 98% of all samples collected in any 12 month period to contain no E. coli .
The percentage compliance for the Yallourn North sampling area for the reporting period was 99.1%. As per the reporting guidelines, only the customer tap non-compliance sample is taken into statistical consideration. The percentage (%) compliance for the Yallourn North sampling area of 98.1%, is still compliant with the requirements of the SDWR.
https://www.gippswater.com.au/application/files/8714/3918/9414/SDWA_Annual_Report_-_2011-12.pdf

March 2 2015: Yallourn North Water Reticulation. E.coli 2 organisms/100 ML. Yallourn North Water Reticulation

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