What is a common indicator of wastewater contamination?

Fecal coliform presence is widely recognized as a critical indicator of wastewater contamination. These bacteria are typically found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and their presence in water sources signifies that fecal matter, along with pathogens, may contaminate the water. The detection of fecal coliforms in wastewater or in recreational waters provides a direct indication of possible health risks to humans and animals. It is a standard parameter used in assessing the microbiological safety of water, especially in public health monitoring and environmental protection initiatives.

Other indicators such as nitrogen levels, high pH levels, and odor intensity may provide useful information about water quality, but they do not directly signal the presence of fecal contamination or the associated human health risks that fecal coliforms do. Nitrogen can indicate nutrient pollution, high pH levels can suggest certain chemical imbalances, and odor intensity may relate to organic matter breakdown, but these factors do not specifically point to contamination from sewage or fecal sources. This makes the presence of fecal coliform bacteria the most relevant indicator in the context of wastewater contamination.