Which group of organisms is used to assess the contamination of drinking water?

The coliform group is widely recognized as a key indicator for assessing the microbial quality of drinking water. This group primarily includes bacteria that are commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. Their presence in drinking water suggests that there may be pathogens present due to fecal contamination, which can pose serious health risks to humans.

Coliforms are easy to detect and quantify, making them practical indicators for water quality monitoring. When water is tested and coliforms are found, it indicates a need for further investigation and potential treatment to ensure the safety of the water supply. This is why the coliform group is the standard for assessing contamination in drinking water, as it directly correlates with public health safety standards.

Escherichia coli, although part of the coliform group, is specifically a strain that indicates fecal contamination when detected. Salmonella and helminths are more specific pathogens that are typically not used as general indicators for water quality; their presence requires more specialized testing and does not provide the broad overview that coliform testing offers. Thus, while those organisms are important in their contexts, the coliform group is the most relevant for general water contamination assessment.