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HETEROTROPHIC PLATE COUNT BACTERIA - WHAT IS THEIR SIGNIFICANCE IN DRINKING WATER?
Citation:
Allen, M. J., S. C. Edberg, AND D J. Reasoner*. HETEROTROPHIC PLATE COUNT BACTERIA - WHAT IS THEIR SIGNIFICANCE IN DRINKING WATER? Presented at NSF International HPC Symposium, Geneva, Switzerland, 4/22-24/2002.
Description:
The possible health significance of heterotrophic plate count (HPC) bacteria, also know in earlier terminology as standard plate count (SPC) bacteria, in drinking water has been debated for decades. While the literature documents the universal occurrence of HPC bacteria in soil, food, air, and all types of water, there is no documented scientific or medical evidence that HPC flora in drinking water pose any health risks. This presentation will: 1) review the literature on HPC bacteria relevant to the clinical implications of these organisms in drinking water; 2) clarify that the 500/mL HPC is not a health-based standard; 3) provide recommendations on the usefulness of HPC in monitoring water quality changes during distribution to the consumer.