The Coliform Index and Waterborne Disease: Problems of microbial drinking water assessment

In the past decade there has been a rapid increase in waterborne outbreaks of disease associated with viral and protozoan agents, normally in drinking waters that were found to be microbially safe using the Coliform Index.
For nearly a quarter of a century indicator organisms, in particular the coliform group, have been used to ensure the microbial quality of drinking water. Currently, world wide legislation to protect consumers is based on these outdated and unreliable tests and while there...