在不同的水处理阶段，从不同的地理区域收集各种水类型，分析它们支持大肠菌群生长的能力。基于大肠菌群生物测定，除了可同化有机碳外，水的营养状况与任何测量的水质参数均不相关。显著较高的大肠菌群生长反应与暴露于臭氧氧化的水有关。作者得出结论，大肠菌群生物测定程序是确定饮用水生物稳定性的可行方法。包括21个参考文献和表格。

A variety of water types collected from different geographical areas at different stages of water treatment were analyzed for their ability to support the growth of coliform bacteria. Based on this coliform bioassay, the nutrient status of the water did not correlate with any of the measured water quality parameters except assimilable organic carbon. Significantly higher coliform growth responses were associated with waters that had been exposed to ozonation. The authors conclude that the coliform bioassay procedure is a viable method for ascertaining the biological stability of drinking water supplies. Includes 21 references, tables.