ABSTRACT
This chapter provides fundamental knowledge of water biology for the water practitioner (primarily for the generalist). The drinking water practitioner as a generalist must understand the importance of microbiological parameters and what they indicate—the potential of waterborne disease. All glassware, equipment, and supplies used in microbiological testing should meet the standards specified in references cited in federal regulations. Dilution water used for making sample serial dilutions is prepared by adding 1.25 mL of stock buffer solution and 5.0 mL of magnesium chloride solution to 1000 mL of distilled or deionized water. The stock solutions of each chemical should be prepared as outlined in the references cited in federal regulations. The multiple-tube fermentation technique for fecal coliform testing of water, solid, or semisolid samples is based on the fact that coliform organisms can use lactose (the sugar occurring in milk) as food and produce gas in the process.
