This book investigates the limitations of the Coliform Index as a reliable indicator for microbial safety in drinking water supplies. Authors Cara Gleeson and Nick Gray, both experts in environmental engineering and water quality, analyze the increasing frequency of waterborne disease outbreaks caused by viral and protozoan pathogens that bypass traditional coliform-based detection methods. They argue that reliance on outdated indicator organisms creates a false sense of security and necessitates a re-evaluation of current monitoring protocols.

Experts in the field of water quality management recognize this text as a critical critique of standard microbiological monitoring practices. Readers frequently note the technical density of the prose, which serves as a foundational resource for professionals and researchers addressing the gaps in current public health safety standards.