ID: E.

coli IDEXX
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Table of Contents
1.
Identification of the test method..................................................................................... 3
2.
Applicable matrix or matrices ......................................................................................... 3
3.
Detection Limit .................................................................................................................. 3
4.
Scope of the test method................................................................................................. 3
5.
Standard for E. coli ........................................................................................................... 3
6.
Summary of test method.....................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
7.
Definitions.......................................................................................................................... 3
8.
Interferences...................................................................................................................... 4
9.
Health and safety .............................................................................................................. 4
10.
Personnel qualifications .................................................................................................. 5
11.
Equipment and supplies .................................................................................................. 5
12.
Reagents and standards .................................................................................................. 5
13.
Sample collection, preservation, shipment and storage ............................................. 5
14.
Quality control................................................................................................................... 6
15.
Calibration and standardization...................................................................................... 6
16.
Laboratory Procedure ...................................................................................................... 6
17.
Data acquisition, calculations, and reporting ............................................................... 7
18.
Computer hardware and software ................................................................................. 8
19.
Method performance ........................................................................................................ 8
20.
Pollution prevention ......................................................................................................... 8
21.
Data assessment and acceptable criteria for quality control measures.................... 8
22.
Corrective actions for out-of-control or unacceptable data ........................................ 8
23.
Waste management .......................................................................................................... 9
24.
References ......................................................................................................................... 9
25.
Tables, diagrams, flowcharts and validation data ........................................................ 9
Appendix A .................................................................................................................................. 10
Bench Sheet ................................................................................................................................ 14
Bench Sheet ................................................................................................................................ 15

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1

Identification of the test method

Escherichia coli using the IDEXX Quanti-Tray/2000 System with Colilert reagent
(Standard Methods, 9223 B.)

Applicable matrix or matrices

This method is suitable for use with surface water samples.

Detection Limit
The detection limit for this analysis is 1 Most Probable Number (MPN) per 100mL of
sample.

Scope of the test method

This standard operating procedure describes the test m ethod for the collection and
analysis of water samples for the enumeration of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Total
coliform bacteria.

Standard for E. coli

The U.S. EPA and Missouris Department of Natural resources require a geometric
m ean of 126 MPN per 100 mL of water as a water quality standard for recreational
contact during the time period of April 1 st to October 31 st.

Summary of test method

Surface water samples are collected in EPA-accepted Whirl-Pak Coli-Test bags. An
undiluted sample will be analyzed from the sample collected. There will be a preliminary
sampling event prior to project startup to allow the laboratory to determine if certain sites
require dilutions. If a sample requires dilutions a 1:10 dilution of the sample water will be
analyzed from the sample collected. The Colilert reagent is added directly to the 100
m L undiluted sample in the Coli-test bag and to 100 m L of the diluted sample. Both are
m ixed thoroughly to dissolve the reagent. The samples are transferred to QuantiTrays/2000 and sealed using the Quanti-Tray sealer. Samples are incubated at 35.0
0.5 C for 24 hours. Results are reported as MPN/100mL.

Definitions
7.1
Analytical batch: The set of samples processed at the same time
7.2

Chain of Custody (COC): used to describe the written record of the collection,
possession and handling of samples. Unless the analytical results are expected
to be challenged legally, a chain of custody is not required. Sample collecti on
information and forms are adequate.

7.3

Control cultures: For each order of Quanti Trays with different lot numbers, check
analytical procedures by testing with known positive and negative control
cultures. For exam ple, E.coli is a positive control for this analysis and
Staphylococcus aureus is a negative control.

7.4

Field duplicate (FD): Two samples taken at the same time and place under
identical circumstances and that are treated identically throughout field and
laboratory procedures. Analysis of field duplicates indicates the precision

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associated with sample collection, preservation, and storage as well as
laboratory procedures.
7.5

Field blank (FB): An aliquot of deionized water treated as a sample in all aspects,
including exposure to a sample bottle holding time, preservatives, and all preanalysis treatments. The purpose is to determine if the field or sample
transporting procedures and environments have contaminated the sample.

7.6

Laboratory reagent blank (LRB): An aliquot of sterilized water treated as a

sample in all aspects, except that it is not taken to the sampling site. The
purpose is to determine if the analytes or interferences are present in the
laboratory environment, the reagents, or the apparatus.

7.7

Laboratory duplicate (LD): Two aliquots of the same environmental sample

treated identically throughout a laboratory analytical procedure. Analysis of
laboratory duplicates indicates precision associated with laboratory procedures
but not with sample collection, preservation or storage procedures.

7.8

Method detection limit (MDL): The lowest level at which an analyte can be
detected with 99 percent confidence that the analyte concentration is greater
than zero.
a.
To calculate the MDL:
b.
Prepare a solution with the concentration of TN near the estimated MDL
c.
Analyze seven portions of this solution over a period of at least three days
d.
Include all sample processing steps in the determination
e.
Calculate the standard deviation (s).
f.
From a table of the one-sided t distribution select the value of t for 7 1 =
6 degrees of freedom at the 99% level. This value is 3.14
g.
The product 3.14 times s is the desired MDL.

7.9

Relative Percent Difference (RPD): calculated as the difference between a

sample and duplicate results, divided by the average of the sample and duplicate
results, m ultiplied by 100%.

Interferences
Water samples containing humic or other material may be colored. If there is
background color, compare inoculated trays to a control tray containing only water (SM,
9223 A.)

Health and safety

9.1
The analysis involves handling of freshwater samples that may contain live
m icroorganisms and therefore pose some threat of infection. Laboratory
personnel who are routinely exposed to such water samples are encouraged to
protect themselves from water borne illnesses by wearing clean disposable
gloves and washing their hands frequently.

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9.2

The Colilert reagent is not hazardous according to the manufacturers material

safety data sheet. The m anufacturer does recommend wearing gloves and
safety glasses while using this reagent and washing hands after use.

10

Personnel qualifications
Laboratory and field personnel shall have a working knowledge of this analytical
procedure and will have received training from an MSU em ployee knowledgeable of the
proper sample analysis procedures.

11

Equipment and supplies

11.1 Whirl-Pak Coli-Test bags: 100 mL, sterilized and containing 10 mg of sodium
thiosulfate. Nasco, 901 Janesville Avenue, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin 53538.

12

13

11.2

Sam pling pole (for whirl-Pak bags): 12 feet long, with retainer rings to hold the
bags.

11.3

Laboratory glassware as needed: sterilized beaker; place in a 170C oven for 2

hours, then allow to cool.

11.4

Quanti-Tray Sealer: catalog number WQTS2X-115. IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.,

Westbrook, ME

11.5

Mohr pipets, 10 mL: place in a 170C oven for 2 hours, then allow to cool.

Reagents and standards

12.1 Colilert reagent: for 100 mL samples, catalog number WP200. IDEXX
Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME.
12.2

Quanti-Tray/2000: 100 trays containing 97 wells each, part number WQT-2K.

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME

12.3

Dilution water: sterile DI. Fisher Scientific, Biotech Grade Sterile Water, Cat. No.
BP 2485-4, 4 liter PolyPac.

Sample collection, preservation, shipment and storage

13.1 Arrive at site and record site number, date, time and appearance of water as
either cloudy or clear.
13.2

Collect a 100 mL surface water sample from the shoreline by placing a Whirl-Pak
bag into the retainer attached to a twelve foot pole. Lower the bag into the water
facing upstream approximately 6 - 10 feet from the shoreline. Lower the bag into
the water far enough so that the water flows freely into the bag. Avoid capturing
large particulate m atter in the bottle by m oving the bag (maintaining the upstream
direction).

13.3

The sample containers will be pre-labeled with a number representing the

sampling sites. For each collection day, the date, stream flow and precipitation
within the last 24 hours will be recorded in the field log book.

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14

13.4

For each sample, the location number, bottle numbers used and time collected
will be recorded in the field sample log.

13.5

The samples will be kept in the possession of Missouri State University

personnel who both collect until transferring the samples to the laboratory with
appropriate chain of custody forms where they become the laboratorys
responsibility.

13.6

Sam ples will be transported to the laboratory in coolers containing ice. Transport
should not take longer than three hours.

13.7

The samples will be stored at 4C until analysis. The maximum hold time is 6
hours.

Quality control
14.1 Accuracy: Initial analyst demonstration of capability and for each new lot of
Quanti-Tray/2000, analyze the following:
a.
1 replicates of a positive control organism,
b.
1 replicates of a negative control organism, and
c.
1 replicates of sterilized water.
14.2

Precision: the analyst should analyze:

a.
Field duplicates (FD): two samples collected at the same time in the field
b.
Laboratory duplicates (LD): two replicates taken from the same collection
bottle. Analyze at least one LD for every 10 samples collected.
c.
Calculate Relative Percent Difference (RPD).

13.3

Laboratory reagent blank (LRB): analyze one LRB per sample batch.

15

Calibration and standardization

There are no calibration or standardization procedures for this m ethod.

16

Laboratory Procedure
16.1 The Whirl-Pak bag containing the water sample is shaken well just prior to
preparation for analysis. For samples known to routinely go over range prepare
a 1:10 dilution. Remove a 10 mL portion of the sample with a sterilized glass
pipet and add it to 90 mL of sterile water in a sterilized 100 m L beaker to make
the 1:10 dilution.
16.2

Open a Colilert ampule and pour contents into either the sample bag or diluted
sample in the beaker. Repeat for the remaining sample.

16.3

Mix thoroughly m aking sure the Colilert reagent is completely dissolved by

retying and shaking the bag or by stirring the diluted sample with a sterilized
glass stir rod.

16.4

Follow m anufacturers instructions for preparation of Quanti-Tray/2000 and use

of the Quanti-Tray Sealer (See Appendix A for the m anufacturers instructions).

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16.5

Allow bubbles to settle or dissipate. Failure to do this may result in the wells
filling or sealing improperly.

16.6

Record the samples site code on the back of the well for identification purposes.

16.7

Record the lot number of the reagents and the wells used on the bench sheet in
the comments section.

16.8

Incubate at 35.0 0.5C for 24 hours.

16.9

Count the number of small and large positive wells that are yellow and refer to
the MPN table to find the most probable number for Total coliform.
a.
If sample is yellow, but lighter than Colilert Comparator incubate 4
additional hours.
b.
Reread results and if color intensifies well is considered positive.

16.10 Check yellow wells, both large and small, for presence of fluorescence by placing
the wells under a black light. If well fluoresces but less than Colilert Comparator,
sample is considered negative. Refer to the MPN table to determine the E. coli
concentration.
16.11 Record results on the bench sheet.
16.12 The com pleted bench sheet should be reviewed by the analyst, the microbiology
faculty supervisor, and the OEWRI QA m anager.
17

Data acquisition, calculations, and reporting

17.1 For each sample analyzed, including quality control samples, record the number
of sm all and large positive wells and the MPN in the appropriate places on the
bench sheet (see below). Calculate precision for duplicate analyses using
equation 1.
Equation 1.

Relative Percent Difference (RPD) = (A B)

(A + B)/2 100

Where:
17.2

A = original sample MPN

B = duplicate sample MPN

Calculation of water sample concentrations, corrected for dilution: For samples

for which dilution was required, the concentration in the original water sample is
calculated using equation 2.
Equation 2:

MPNsample = MPNanalysis X (10.0 m L/Valiquot)

Where:

MPNsample = the concentration in the original water sample,

MPNanalysis = the concentration of the solution as determined in
(15.11)
Valiquot = the volum e of the aliquot diluted to 10 mL in (15.1).

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17.3

The evaluation of MDL and precision require calculation of standard deviation.

Standard deviations should be calculated as indicated below, where n = number
of samples, x = concentration in each sample. Note: This is the sample
standard deviation calculated by the STDEV function in Microsoft Excel.

x
s

18

n
n 1

Computer hardware and software

18.1 Word: This document and attached bench sheet are prepared using Microsoft
Word. The Word document file name for this SOP is: 4010R01 Ecoli IDEXX.doc.
18.2

IDEXX MPN Generator 3.2: For use in confirming MPN of sample results, as
well as calculation of 95% confidence intervals.

19

Method performance
There are no published method performance data for this method.

20

Pollution prevention
All wastes from these procedures shall be collected and disposed of according to
existing waste policies within the MSU Biology Department. Volumes of reagents made
should m irror the number of samples being analyzed. These adjustments should be
m ade to reduce waste.

21

Data assessment and acceptable criteria for quality control measures

21.1 The analyst should review all data for correctness (e.g., use of MPN table).

22

21.2

Precision values are calculated for pairs of duplicate analyses. Record the
precision values as a percent on the bench sheet. The desired precision is
20%.

21.3

The desired detection limit is 1 MPN/100mL.

21.4

The com pleted bench sheet is reviewed by the analysts supervisor or the
OEWRI QA coordinator. Using IDEXX MPN Calculator 3.2 MPN results are
com pared and 95% confidence intervals are generated.

Corrective actions for out-of-control or unacceptable data

22.1 The results for precision and blank data are compared to the acceptable values
for this analysis; 20% and 1 MPN/100mL, respectively.
22.2

If a precision value exceeds 20% then the analyst should write in the comments
section of the bench sheet: These data are associated with an out-of-control

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duplicate analysis. The UCL = 20%. Note: UCL is the Upper Control Limit
(i.e., 20%).
22.3

If a blank value exceeds 1 MPN/100mL then the analyst should write in the
com ments section of the bench sheet: These data are associated with a blank
value that exceeds the detection limit of 1 MPN/100mL.

22.4

The samples cannot be reanalyzed because the sample volume will be depleted
after the initial analysis.

22.5

If data are unacceptable for any reason, the analyst should review their analytical
technique prior to conducting this analysis again.

23

Waste management
The wastes generated in this method are not hazardous. They can be discarded in the
following manner: the water can be discarded in the laboratory sink and Quanti-Trays
are autoclaved and then can be discarded with the paper trash.

24

References
24.1 IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. Westbrook, ME 04092. Instruction manuals for use of:
Colilert, Quanti-Tray/2000, and Quanti-Tray Sealer.

25

24.2

Missouri Department of Natural Resources. E. Coli Monitoring at the Lake of the

Ozarks , Environmental Services Program/Water Protection Program fact sheet.
2011.

24.3

EPA, Environmental Protection Agency. Water Quality Standards for Coastal

and Great Lakes Recreation Waters. 2004.

24.4

Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. Method 9223
B., APHA, 21st Edition, 2005.

Tables, diagrams, flowcharts and validation data

25.1 See Appendix A for MPN tables and Quanti-Tray/2000 instructions.
25.2

See below for the bench sheet. The analyst should make a copy of this form for
each batch of samples analyzed.

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Appendix A

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Missouri State University
Ozarks Environm ental and Water Resources Institute
Springfield, Missouri
Escherichia coli IDEXX System
Bench Sheet
Analyst: ________________________

Project: ________________________
Data reviewed by:

Date analyzed: _________________

Incubator Data: Start Day/Tim e: ________________
End Day/Tim e: _________________
Sample Data
Sam ple
Identification

Date Collected

Large well
Positive count
Replicate
A
B

Start Tem perature (C): __________

End Tem perature (C): __________
Sm all well
Positive count
Replicate
A
B

Most Probable
Num ber
(MPN/100m L) *
[Mean of A + B]

Comments: __________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
*See MPN tables.

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Missouri State University
Ozarks Environm ental and Water Resources Institute
Springfield, Missouri
Total coliform IDEXX System
Bench Sheet
Analyst: ________________________

Project: _______________________
Data reviewed by:

Date analyzed: _________________

Incubator Data: Start Day/Tim e: ________________
End Day/Tim e: _________________
Sample Data
Sam ple
Identification

Date Collected

Large well
Positive count
Replicate
A
B

Start Tem perature (C): __________

End Tem perature (C): __________
Sm all well
Positive count
Replicate
A
B

Most Probable
Num ber
(MPN/100m L) *
[Mean of A + B]

Comments: __________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
* See MPN tables.

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