General information:
Fecal streptococci are gram positive bacteria, arranged in chains, catalazo-negative, which can reduce 2,3,5 triphenyltetrazolium at formazan and hydrolyse esculina to 44C in 2h. The final product resulting from the hydrolysis of the esculin is 6,7 dihydroxymarine that combines with the iron ions that give the color from golden to black that diffuse in the environment.
Referential after which the analysis is performed:
The analysis of the determination of the enterocys (fecal streptococci) to drinking water is performed within its own laboratory according to the national SR EN ISO 7899-2:2002.
The principle of the method:
Determine fecal<span styles= "font-size: small; "> to drinking water is performed using the membrane filtration system using as altura SLANETZ &BARTLEY agar TTC and confirmation on medium esculine balls azide agar.
Canuses of sample rejection – amount of unsuitable sample, sample collected in inappropriate containers, samples not properly labeled, etc.
Recipient – STERILE container required. (purchased commercially - human pharmacies or requested from the laboratory).
Quantity of sample required to perform the analysis - minimum 250ml.
Necessary processing after harvesting – not required.
Sample stability – freshly harvested water is stable for 3 hours at a temperature of 2...50C.
The analysis method - membrane filtering and insemination on SLANETZ &BARTLEY AGAR TTC and confirmation on medium esculine balls azide agar.
Reference values according to the Drinking Water Law 1)
Parameter / Unit of measurement | CMA value (Maximum permissible concentration) |
| absent |
0 |
Recommendations for performing the analysis/ Effects of exceeding the reference values –
The presence of fecal streptococci in drinking water is a good indicator of the contamination of water with fecal residues resulting from their infiltration into the groundwater. Fecal streptococci have adverse effects on human health. Most people with the infection will have the following symptoms:
- severe cramps in the stomach and sensitive abdomen
- watery diarrhea initially that can become evolving sanguinolence
- nausea and vomiting.
In order to reduce the level of enterococci in the water, a number of methods of water chlorination can be applied depending on the severity of the infestation or UV lamps can be used.