Two Summaries

Audience 1: Non-Science Majors

We drink water every day and the quality of water is very important for humans. If you are going camping or like water sports, it is important that you know what’s in the water you’re drinking or coming in contact with. If you accidentally drink contaminated water, it can cause water borne illnesses and gastrointestinal problems. Using two simple tests, I can check a water sample for the bacteria E.coli which is found in fecal matter. One test uses a kit named Colilert which includes a special mixture that is added into a water sample. If that sample turns yellow and glows under UV light, E. coli is present in the water. I will then place the yellow and glowing sample on a special medium to allow for growth of colonies. If the colonies appear to be back with a green metallic sheen, I can conclude that the water sample has E.coli present in the original water sample. I think it is amazing that two simple tests can prove whether a water sample is safe for human consumption.

Audience 2: Environmentalists

There are numerous reasons why public waters are contaminated. People are dumping raw sewage in the ocean. There are high levels of run-off from fertilizers and animal waste on farmlands that trickle in water systems. Diseases caused from fecal bacteria can cause epidemics in areas that are underdeveloped, lack proper sanitation methods, are overpopulated, or just recently experienced natural disasters like earthquakes. The government and health agencies have certain water testing regulations to make sure that we are not consuming polluted water yet about a billion people in the world still do not have access to clean drinking water. I can test a water sample for the presence of the bacteria, E.coli. One test uses a Colilet test kit which is approved by the EPA. Then, I place the Colilert mixture into the water sample and if it was positive for E.coli, the water sample would be yellow and fluorescent. Next, I use a small scoop of the yellow and fluorescent sample and place it on special medium plate. If these bacteria have black colonies with a green shimmer on it, it means that E. coli is present. I can confidently say that I have basic laboratory knowledge to help someone test for clean drinking water so that it is for safe human consumption.