3.2. E. coli and total coliforms Coliforms were identified by Coliscan culture along both rivers in July 2015 (see Figure 2). The distribution of E.coli showed highest concentration at both the upstream and downstream margins of the community on the Jiquiriçá River (seeFigure 2). Total coliforms were most intense near the population center of the community and downstream as the rivers passed through the remaining section of the community. The surface water concentrations of E. coli and total coliforms was lowest at the source of the piped water supply and were further reduced by half after water treatment, but were never zero. E. coli was present at 2-4 CFU/mL in samples of piped water (Points 11 and 12), and the concentrations of other coliforms were at 148 and 136 CFU/mL,respectively.Therefore, according to Brazilian Federal Environmental Council – CONAMA standards of human drinking water (zero E. coli CFU /mL), the evaluated water is not appropriate for use.

Published as part of Moretto, V. T., Bartley, P. S., Ferreira, V. M., Santos, C. S., Silva, L. K., Ponce-Terashima, R. A., Blanton, R. E., Reis, M. G. & Barbosa, L. M., 2022, Microbial source tracking and antimicrobial resistance in one river system of a rural community in Bahia, Brazil, pp. 1-9 in Brazilian Journal of Biology (e 231838) (e 231838) 82 on page 5, DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.231838, http://zenodo.org/record/11494214