“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
Dec 20/Jan 21 – Gravesend (New South Wales) – Turbidity
Gwydir Shire Council
Gravesend Boil Water Alert has been lifted
Gwydir Shire Council advises that the boil water advisory issued on Friday 18th December 2020 has been lifted and there are no restrictions remaining on the normal uses of drinking water supplied to Gravesend…
The boil water alert was issued as a precaution due to rainfall events causing high turbidity in the Gwydir River…