Water Microbiology Program Grading Criteria
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To Water Microbiology Program	Challenges are directed towards detection and identification of total and fecal coliforms, and are graded against the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (4th edition) Health and Welfare Canada. Samples are simulated stabilized waters that can be assessed by membrane filtration, MPN, or other assays.
Most Recent Results	Grading Scale: Version 9: Aug 2011
Table 2: PT Drinking Water Samples Assessment Criteria Score Assessment Criteria 3 Result is considered accurate (see Table 1) 2 Result is acceptable with minor error (see Table 1) 1 Major error (see Table 1) False Positive: a sample containing only total coliforms is reported as containing thermotolerant coliforms. 0 Very major error with potential water safety consequences, i - A sample containing only thermotolerant bacteria is reported as containing total coliforms, or ii - False Negative: a report of no growth when bacteria are present.
Please note: • Total Coliforms and thermotolerant coliforms (fecal) are still a combined score out of 3 for drinking water samples: #1, 2, 3, 4, Total =12. • Additional scores for E. coli testing are out of a score of 3 each for drinking water samples #1,2, 3, 4, Total =12. • For Enterococci, Pseudomonas or fresh water beach E. coli testing is out of a total of 3 per sample. • Laboratories are graded depending on the scope of testing that is performed.
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