Cunnamulla (Queensland): E.coli
2014/15: Cunnamulla (Qld) : There was one water sample fail for E-Coli in Cunnamulla in Feb 2015. Extra test were conducted as required by the standard and the result came back clear. At no time was the annual value for E.Coli below the minimum requirements…
This financial year there was only 1 instance where the Regulator was notified under sections 102 or 102A of the Act. Notifications pertained to the detection of E. Coli in the Cunnamulla Schemes. E. Coli is and organism that may not directly represent a hazard to human health, but indicates the presence of recent faecal contamination. The regulator has advised that the DWSP is to notify them of each sample where E. Coli is detected. Resampling confirmed to controls
taken by council has corrected the procedure in sampling…
A Water sample was taken at the Shire Hall Tap in the Cunnamulla Scheme on the 3rd Feb 2015
failed the test for E Coli. There was one organism per 100 mL. Due to windy conditions and bird excrement the sterilization process was not sufficient. Procedures were tighten in regards to fully protecting a site during windy periods and a more though cleaning of the chosen sample tap. Retesting of the site confirmed there was no E. coli in the actual scheme.
https://www.paroo.qld.gov.au/documents/597641/e3e3ef1c-5484-4ad5-9bdf-8df584f9dddc
“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