Faecal coliforms should not be detected in any treated drinking water sample. The faecal coliform group is a portion of the coliform group that is capable of fermenting lactose at 44 to 45 0C within 48 hours. Escherichia coli is the fecal coliform most frequently associated with recent fecal pollution. The presence of fecal coliforms in drinking water is an indication of sewage
