Detect levels of E.coli and other coliform bacteria in water as indicators of contamination. Determine if water meets water quality standards for drinking, swimming and aquatic life.
Supplies
A test kit includes enough supplies to collect three replicate samples at each sampling site. The average of three replicates provides a much more reliable estimate of the actual number of bacterial colonies than a single sample.
METHOD 1: Media, Petri Dishes & Pipettes
General – Bacteria Test Supplies (3 replicates per sample)
Approximately $11 – $12 (depending on quantity discounts; does not include tax or shipping charges)
Coliscan® EasyGel® Media & Pre-treated Petri Dishes (Catalog no. 25001)
$3.44 – $3.74 per replicate (depending on quantity discounts)
1-mL sterile-wrapped pipettes (Catalog no. DRP01)
$0.29 each
Supply Vendor Information::
Micrology Laboratories Inc
12441 Beckley St
Granger IN 46530
Contact: Doug Wengerd
Email: info@micrologylabs.com
Phone: 888-327-9435
NEW Phone: 574-970-3174
NEW Fax: 574-970-3170
Phone: 888-327-9435
METHOD 2: R-CARD® & Pipettes
General – Bacteria Test Supplies (3 replicates per sample)
Approximately $8.50 – $11 (depending on quantity discounts; does not include tax or shipping charges)
R-CARD® ECC-A (patent pending) (sold in packs of 25, 100, and 500)
$2.55 – $3.15 per replicate (depending on quantity discounts)
1-mL sterile-wrapped pipettes (sold in packs of 10, 25, and 100)
$0.30-$0.50 each (depending on quantity discounts)
Supply Vendor Information::
Roth Bioscience, LLC
1303 Eisenhower Drive S.
Goshen, IN 46525
Phone: 574-533-3351
Email: hello@rothbioscience.com
Incubator
The incubator for culturing bacterial samples can be made for less than $10. A small cooler or other type of insulated container with a lid may be used as an incubator. Uniform temperatures may be maintained using a small light bulb such as a night-light attached to an extension cord. Use a piece of cardboard or plastic to shield the sample plates from direct light. A thermostat is not needed. The number and/or wattage of bulbs may be adjusted to maintain the proper temperatures, depending on the ambient room temperature and size of incubator. For example, a 4-watt bulb in a 1 cubic foot container usually makes a good incubator. A thermometer is needed to determine ambient incubator temperature. This can be obtained from the AWW water chemistry test kit or a dial thermometer found in garden centers and hardware stores. The thermometer should be placed within the incubator away from the heat source or inserted through the lid so temperature may be read without opening the container.
A Hova-Bator Table Top Incubator is a high-quality, economic option from GQF Manufacturing Company.
Thermometer
A thermometer (in Celcius) is needed to take air and water temperature readings while sampling. AWW recommends the HB EnviroSafe 6 “Easy Read” Armor Case Thermometer from Forestry Suppliers.
Miscellaneous Supplies
Various small supplies for sample transport and preparation will be needed, most of which can be easily purchased in stores or online.
Insulated Lunch Box – for transporting samples in the field and back to the incubator. Remember you must keep samples cool after collection and shield from sunlight as much as possible (see photo to left for two examples).
Ice Pack – for keeping samples cool until plating
Clear Tape – for securing pre-treated petri dishes
Permanent Marker/Sharpie – for labeling media bottles and petri dishes by sample site