Bacteriological Analysis of Water: Steps to Ensure Safety

A detailed procedure to determine the presence, quantity, and sorts of bacteria present in water. This helps assess the water quality and safety by identifying potential contamination. 

That’s what Bacteriological Analysis of Water is. Now, take a look at your water. 

It depends a lot on the appearance.

• Is it as transparent inside as it is outside? 
• Can you see anything? No! Nevermind. 

Because the water may have microbes like bacteria, viruses, germs, and parasites while still giving the cleanest look. 

Unfortunately, detecting their presence is hard because they’re the tiniest and invisible to the naked eye. 

So, when you drink bacterial water, this can bring several waterborne diseases. 

Over 7 million Americans are the victims, says the CDC. 

That’s why you test the water so you don’t feel like a fish out of water. That way, you can take the necessary steps accordingly. 

Find out Why Regular Water Testing Matters for NJ Homes

Why Does Bacteriological Analysis Matter?

Because you don’t want the bad in your drinking water. 

The significance of water quality evaluation is unlimited. You learn more about the water, spot the presence of any bacteria, and know what action to take. 

Want free water testing? Contact NJ Water Systems!

Preventing Waterborne Diseases

Two commoners are cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis. 

Both disorders lead to diarrhea. Some other bad news are epigastric pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting.

That’s what happens when you drink bacterial water. It starts with a mild stomach upset but the ending can be life-threatening. 

These diseases come from bacteria like:

• E. coli
• Salmonella
• Vibrio cholerae
• Enterococci

All of these love to present you with such illnesses. 

However, analyzing water can help you prevent waterborne disease attacks. It detects the kind of microbes swimming in water so you can take action to kill them. 

Safeguarding Public Health

All the living souls deserve clean water. 

Sadly, many tend to drink water without knowing there’s bacteria in it. The reason is you can’t see the microbes. Plus, you don’t know the source. 

For this, several people get sick every year from germs in drinking water. “Among them, at least 1.1 million Americans are the victims,” says the CDC. 

Treating such illnesses is like breaking the bank. Stats stress that it may cost around $2.2 to $3.7 billion annually. 

For this, there’s a law that requires local governments to assess the bacteriological quality of water. They periodically test the water before delivering it from water tanks and municipal supplies to the public and homes. 

This ensures your water stays safe for drinking, cooking, and washing. It also keeps you healthy and reduces financial burdens.

Monitoring The Environment 

Our nature serves everyone. 

People, animals, marine life, and plants. This shows that— lakes, rivers, and other water sources have several roles. They’re for drinking. Plus, they’re home to other creatures. 

The issue is water originating from natural sources is typically impure. It picks up dust, fine sand, clay, dirt, and biological contaminants. On top of that, untreated sewage and industrial waste make it more impure and harmful. 

Sometimes, boiling water may not remove the impurities. 

So, when testing water, you can monitor the health of those water bodies or sources. If the test detects bacteria, it indicates contamination from factories, farms, or sewage. That way, you can take precautions to fix the issue. 

You can also contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline and report about the water pollution. 

Meeting Clean Water Standards

Take notes! 

Most countries have strict rules to ensure water quality. The USA has it too. 

EPA has set legal limits on 90+ contaminants in drinking water. 

The government says—

“Drinking water MUST NOT have any coliform bacteria in 100 milliliters of water. It should be zero.” 

That’s the “Maximum Contaminant Level” in drinking water. 

So, bacteriological analysis of drinking water here can help you, the government, water suppliers, and everyone to meet these rules. 

It guarantees the water you have is safe and free of harmful bacteria. 

Methods of Bacteriological Analysis

Let’s give the spotlight to the bacteriological analysis of water procedure now!

Membrane Filtration

Here, the mesh fabric is the hero. 

The Membrane Filtration Technique involves a fine, porous membrane filter. It’s a pore size smaller than a bacterium. This super thin mesh catches the tiniest particles and separates bacteria from water.

• Take a sample of water and pass it through the membrane.
• The filter traps bacteria. 
• Place the filter on a nutrient dish, where bacterial growth happens
• Then count them. 

Pros

• Quickest results– Bacteria grows within 24-48 hours.
• Detects specific types of bacteria.
• Gives an accurate count of bacterial colonies. 
• Allows for direct observation.

Cons

• Needs a special filtration system. So it’s better to call an expert! 

Looking for a pro water tester? Contact NJ Water Systems!

Multiple-tube fermentation method

Slightly intricate. The tubes are the main focus. 

The multiple-tube fermentation method uses a series of tubes. It detects the presence of coliforms in drinking water. The technique also figures out the quantity of coliforms in potable and nonpotable water. 

It’s a three-stage procedure. 

• Presumptive Test (Today): Add the sample to several tubes with a nutrient broth. It’s food for bacteria. Look for bubbles or cloudiness after incubation. Gas means bacteria are probably there.
• Confirmed Test (Next Lab): Take positive tubes from Stage 1. Add them to new, more specific media like Agar plates. Check whether bacteria are still growing and producing gas. 
• Completed Test (Lab 25): Use tubes from State 2. Grow bacteria on solid media as colonies. With a microscope, observe their shape and features to identify the bacteria type. 

Pros

• Great for the smallest bacteria. 
• Detects different types of bacteria. 
• Suitable for analyzing other types of microbes. 
• Delivers accurate results. 

Cons

• Complicated stages and time-consuming

Heterotrophic plate count

The special plate!

Heterotrophic plate count uses nutrient-rich agar plates. They estimate how many live heterotrophic bacteria are there in the water sample. These plates help grow bacteria so you can measure the number and detect the type.

• Take a sample of bacteria. Add it to the agar plate.
• Let the bacteria eat the food. 
• Once the bacteria grow and multiply, you can then count them. 

Pros

• Quick results– Bacteria grows within 48–72 hours.
• Easy to use. Doesn’t need much equipment.
• Provides accurate results.
• Inexpensive to perform. 

Cons

• Not for the smallest bacteria. 

Physical, Chemical, and Bacteriological Quality of Water

Physical Quality of Water

It tells about how water looks and feels. 

The physical quality of water refers to the measurable traits you can observe using your senses. 

You can check the quality through 8 parameters. These are— 

• Electrical conductivity
• Total dissolved solids
• Salinity, turbidity
• Temperature
• Color
• Taste 
• Odor 

Let’s focus on 5 of them— 

Chemical Quality of Water

This talks about stuff we can’t even sense. 

The chemical quality of water focuses on the presence and concentration of— dissolved minerals and other compounds in water. Some parameters include— 

• pH
• Dissolved oxygen
• Hardness
• Alkalinity
• Acidity
• Nitrate

Bacteriological Quality of Water

Just bacteria things.

The Bacteriological Quality of Water highlights the kinds of bacteria and how many exist in the water. It’s about checking whether your water has harmful bacteria.

Learn More About The Water Quality Here!

Step-by-Step Procedure for Bacteriological Analysis

Step 1 - Sample Collection and Preparation

Collect 100mL water samples and prep them for assessment. You can take the sample from tap water or your faucet. 

Store it in a sterile container. Follow proper aseptic techniques to prevent contamination. 

Label the sample. 

• Keep it in a refrigerator at 39°F 

Or

• Freeze it at -4°F to preserve its integrity

Step 2 - Performing the Test

Now, the main water testing. 

First, pick a test that’s specific to the suspected bacterial pathogen. It can be a culture, MPN, PCR, or serological test. 

Let’s say, it’s MPN or the most probable number.

In this case, you add water samples to the growth medium like lactose broth. Start with a 10 times weaker version of the sample.

Let the tubes sit in a warm place at 95°F for 48 hours.

Check the tubes. See if there are any bubbles and a yellow color change. In case you do see them, this means that bacteria are present. 

However, it’s wise to follow the manufacturer's instructions. You can also check established protocols when performing the test.

Record the result of the test. Note down any positive or negative findings.

Step 3 - Confirmatory tests

Now, go with a test that can confirm the presence of the suspected bacteria. 

It can be— a biochemical test, or a molecular test. 

Let’s pick IMViC. It’s short for:

• Indole test: Add a chemical to the water sample. If the liquid turns red, bacteria can produce indole. 
• Methyl red test: Add a chemical. The red color means the bacteria produce acid.
• Voges-Proskauer test: Add a chemical. The red color means the bacteria produce a different type of acid.
• Citrate test: Check if the bacteria can use citrate. The blue color means they can.

Such tests assess the specific characteristics of the bacteria. 

For instance, their ability to ferment certain sugars. It can also be to produce specific enzymes.

Record the result of the test. Note down the findings. 

Step 4 - Data analysis and interpretation

Assess and interpret the data or findings. Determine the water quality.

You can compare the results and then keep a record.

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Applications of Bacteriological Analysis

To Ensure Your Drinking Water Is Safe

Clean water— in and out. 

Testing your water regularly makes sure it’s free of all sorts of bacteria and other microorganisms. It gives almost precise results regarding the quantity and types of bacteria present in the liquid. 

This helps you take action on time and avoid diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. 

Result: Everyone enjoys the health benefits of drinking water. 

To Monitor Water Tanks And Municipal Supplies

Public safety— All covered. 

Water from natural sources picks up stuff when flowing from groundwater to supplies to your faucet. That and manmade pollution make the water stay impure. 

Checking the water stored in tanks and delivered to your homes or businesses prevents that. It reduces the intensity of risks by lowering the amount of bacteria. 

Moreover, water analysis is a law in the US. 

The EPA has set the rules where towns and cities must test water. Besides, the local governments have to follow all water quality testing guidelines and regulations. 

Result: They treat the water before reaching the public. 

Academic Projects and Lab Reports

It’s more about knowledge. 

Bacteriological analysis of water quality is common in educational centers and research too. Students and scientists test the water and learn more about the quality. 

• The National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) is a top research center that does it for lab reports.
• There’s Delaware State Univery that has The Water Quality Testing Laboratory for projects. 

Such studies help them find ways to improve water treatment and keep water sources safe. 

Result: It keeps both people and the environment safe. 

5 Challenges In Water Analysis 

1. Accuracy Risks: Traditional methods may not always give precise results. It’s more true when analyzing low levels of contaminants. 
2. Time-Consuming: Some old methods, like MTF, may take a lot of time to produce results. This delays necessary actions. 
3. Expensive: Lab tests are pricy. This makes it hard to afford water analysis in some areas. 
4. Environmental Impact: Chemicals used in testing may pollute the environment. For instance– colorimetric and titrimetric tests for water analysis aren’t very biodegradable. 
5. Sensitivity: Old methods may not detect small amounts of new pollutants like microplastics. 

Innovations In Water Analysis 

• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Biosensors 
• Nanotechnology
• Internet of Things
• Remote Sensing 
• Microfluidic Devices 

Research Trends in Microbiological Water Analysis

Here are some examples of Microbiological Analysis of Water Research Papers you may want to check:

• Next-generation sequencer (NGS) for microbial community profiling.
• qPCR and digital PCR for specific pathogens.
• Automated sample processing for sample prep and analysis.
• In-situ sensors for continuous monitoring of microbial parameters. 
• Machine learning AI-driven algorithms for water contamination risks.
  

Is Your Water Free from Bacteria? Get It Tested for Free!

Harmful bacteria in your water can lead to serious health risks. A bacteriological analysis helps detect contaminants like E. coli and coliform bacteria before they become a problem. NJ Water Systems offers free water testing to ensure your drinking water is safe, clean, and healthy for your family.

📍 Visit us today or schedule your free water test now!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the bacteriological analysis of water?

Bacteriological analysis of water is a method for determining the quantity and types of bacteria present in a water sample. 

What are the methods of bacteriological analysis?

There are several ways to test bacterial water. Some bacteriological analysis methods are— 

• Culture-based methods
• Membrane filtration
• Sample collection
• Molecular technique

What are the biological methods of water analysis?

Biomonitoring and bioanalytics– these two are the most common biological methods of water analysis. 

What is the confirmatory test in bacteriological analysis of water?

Some extra tests experts conduct to confirm the presence of bacteria in water. It involves using agar plates from the previous phase’s positive presumptive tube. 

That’s a confirmatory test in bacteriological analysis of water.