Water is essential to life, but many people do not have access to clean and safe drinking water.

Microbiological water quality is mainly based on the concept of fecal indicator bacteria. In general terms, the greatest microbiological risks are associated with ingestion of water that is contaminated with human or animal feces. Wastewater discharges in fresh waters or surface waters are the major sources of fecal microorganisms, including pathogens. [ ! "he microbiological quality of drinking water in municipal water distribution systems depends on several factors. #ree residual chlorine and$or chloramines are typically used to minimi%e bacterial recontamination or regrowth in water distribution system. &espite such preventive measures, regrowth of heterotrophic bacteria and opportunistic bacteria in bulk water and biofilm has yet to be controlled completely. 'o approach has shown complete success in eliminating biofilms or heterotrophic bacteria from bulk water and pipe surfaces. (iofilms can provide shelter for pathogenic bacteria and protect these bacteria from disinfectants. [)! Monitoring and control technologies are indispensable for the production of safe drinking water. [*! +arious government or non,government organi%ations have prescribed limits for physico,chemical and microbiological safety parameters of drinking water. "he microbiological quality of water is measured by the analysis and enumeration of indicator microorganisms. [)! "he microbiological indicators normated by drinking water law are- total colony count at ))./ and *0./, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, 1nterococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Clostridium perfringens. [2! "otal coliforms are 3ram negative, o4idase negative, non,sporeforming rods that ferment lactose with gas production. 1. coli, a member of 1nterobacteriaceae are o4idase negative, catalase positive straight rods that ferment lactose. /ells are positive in the Methyl,5ed test, but negative in the +oges,6roskauer assay. 1. coli is a natural and essential part of the microbiota in the gut of human and animals. Most 1. coli are non, pathogenic.

5eferences . 7oao 6. 8. /abral 9 Water microbiology. (acterial pathogens and water 9 International 7ournal of 1nvironmental 5esearch and 6ublic :ealth, ). .. ). 8hakhawat /howdhury 9 :eterotrophic bacteria in drinking water distribution system- a review 9 1nvironmental Monitoring ;ssessment, ). ). *. Margreet Mons $ Monitoring and control of drinking water quality 9 Inventory and evaluation of monitoring technologies for key,parameters, "echneau, )..<. 2. =aw 2><$)..)