2023 Online Catalog - Flipbook - Page 497
National (Health-Related) Microorganisms 17
Microorganisms
MCLG1
(mg/L)2
MCL or TT1
(mg/L)2
Potential Health Effects from Long-Term
Exposure Above the MCL
(unless specified as short-term)
Sources of Contaminant
in Drinking Water
Cryptosporidium
zero
TT3
Gastrointestinal illness
(such as diarrhea, vomiting, and cramps)
Human and animal fecal waste
Giardia lamblia
zero
TT3
Gastrointestinal illness
(such as diarrhea, vomiting, and cramps)
Human and animal fecal waste
Heterotrophic)
plate count (HPC
n/a
TT3
HPC has no health effects; it is an analytic method used
to measure the variety of bacteria that are common in water.
The lower the concentration of bacteria in drinking water,
the better maintained the water system is.
HPC measures a range of bacteria
that are naturally present
in the environment
Legionella
zero
TT3
Legionnaire’s Disease, a type of pneumonia
Found naturally in water;
multiplies in heating systems
Total Coliforms
zero
(including fecal
coliform and E. Coli)
Quick reference guide
5.0%4
Not a health threat in itself; it is used to indicate whether
other potentially harmful bacteria may be present5
Coliforms are naturally present
in the environment; as well as feces;
fecal coliforms and E-coli only
come from human and
animal fecal waste.
Turbidity
n/a
TT3
Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water.
It is used to indicate water quality and filtration effectiveness
(such as whether disease-causing organisms are present).
Higher turbidity levels are often associated with higher levels
of disease-causing microorganisms such as viruses,
parasites and some bacteria. These organisms can cause
symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and
associated headaches.
Soil runoff
Viruses (enteric)
zero
TT3
Gastrointestinal illness
(such as diarrhea, vomiting, and cramps)
Human and animal fecal waste
Technical & Engineering
Contaminant
13
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