Comparison of the presence-absence and membrane filter techniques for coliform detection in small, nonchlorinated water distribution systems.

The traditional membrane filter (American Public Health Association, Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 16th ed., American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C., 1985) and presence-absence (P-A) (J. A. Clark, Can. J. Microbiol. 14:13-18, 1968) techniques for the detection of coliform bacteria were compared in a small nonchlorinated drinking water distribution system by using total positive samples and frequency-of-occurrence analyses. No significant differences (P less than 0.05) were found in detection of the presence of coliform bacteria or in changes in the frequency of occurrence with time. A reduction in P-A sample volume (to 50 ml) was not found to statistically affect the comparative results of traditional membrane filter and P-A tests.