Which of the following are considered ideal indicators for pathogens in water?

The coliform group bacteria are considered ideal indicators for pathogens in water because they are commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals and are relatively easy to detect. Specifically, total coliforms, which include a range of bacteria, provide an indication of fecal contamination and the potential presence of harmful pathogens. Their presence in water suggests that pathogens from human or animal waste may also be present, posing a risk to human health.

Coliforms are significant because they can multiply and survive in water, making them reliable indicators of overall water quality. Additionally, testing for coliforms is a standard procedure in water quality monitoring, allowing for a quick assessment of water safety. This group includes Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is specifically associated with fecal contamination, further emphasizing the importance of coliforms as a microbial indicator.

In contrast, while Salmonella species can indicate specific types of contamination, they are not as widely used for general water safety assessments due to their variability in occurrence and detectability. The other listed groups, gram-negative cocci and gram-negative coccobacilli, are more diverse and do not specifically indicate fecal contamination. Thus, they are less effective as indicators of pathogen presence in water compared