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Coliform

 Coliform bacteria are a collection of relatively harmless microorganisms that live in large numbers in the intestinal tract of warm-blooded mammals, including man.  They aid in the digestion of food.

Coliform bacteria can also be found in the soil, other animals, insects, etc.   The total coliform group is relatively easy to culture in the lab, and therefore, has been selected as the primary indicator bacteria for the presence of disease causing organisms.

 Coliform bacteria are not pathogenic (disease causing) organism, and are only mildly infectious.  If large numbers of coliforms are found in water, there is a high probability that other pathogenic organisms may be present.  The procedures for isolating pathogenic bacteria are complex and expensive; thus indicator organisms are used to indicate the probable presence of pathogens