Coliform Bacteriamicrobial
EPA Code 0400 · Treatment Technique Violation
4
violations
EPA Limit
0 per 100 mL presence/absence
Last Reading
—
First Reported
Jan 2023
Most Recent
Jan 2023
What this violation means
Total coliform bacteria are themselves usually harmless, but their presence signals that the water distribution system has a vulnerability — typically a cracked pipe, loss of pressure, or back-siphonage — that could allow disease-causing pathogens to enter. Repeated coliform-positive samples trigger mandatory utility investigation.
Recommended precautions
- →If your utility issues a boil-water advisory, boil all drinking and cooking water for at least one minute.
- →Use bottled water until the advisory is lifted.
- →Ice from icemakers and beverages made before the advisory should be discarded.
- →UV light and chlorination both kill coliform bacteria — most home filters do not.
