2016 – Saibai (Queensland) – E.coli

2016: Saibai (Queensland) – E.coli
20/1/16: Saibai (Queensland) – E.coli

E.Coli was detected at 4/5 locations and the failed readings were between 15 and 94.5 CFMU MPN.

It was found that there was inadequate chlorination, incorrect use of the pocket colorimeter and high turbidity through the mains. The high turbidity in the mains resulted  from using water from the mud lagoons while their level was low, with a raw water turbidity which was too great for the single media filter to tolerate.

The Boil Water Notice at Saibai commenced on 20/01/16 and remains in place as of 19/12/16

TSIRC Drinking Water Quality Management Plan 2015/16

“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