Region 8
Serving Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and 27 Tribal Nations
Microbiology Capabilities
National Information
Regional Information
Current Region 8 microbiology capabilities include routine microbial analysis of heterotrophs, total coliforms, fecal coliforms, E. coli, and enterococci in drinking water, wastewater, surface water, and groundwater. Methods used during routine testing include the EPA approved heterotrophic plate count methods, membrane filter method, multiple tube fermentation method, and the chromogenic/fluorogenic substrate methods.
Region 8 also performs laboratory studies to enumerate and identify microbes associated with mining activities and wastes including iron and sulfur oxidizers, sulfate reducers, iron reducers, arsenic reducers, as well as others. Region 8 routinely performs studies involving the culturing and handling of strict anaerobes. Methods for enrichment and culturing of organisms are developed at the Region 8 Laboratory.
The Region 8 staff has experience in conducting bioremediation studies on contaminants including recalcitrant chlorinated aliphatic solvents, PCBs, oils/petroleum products, and metals associated with mining wastes. The experimental design and methods developed are based on project needs.
In the near future, Region 8 will have the capability of performing rapid tests to detect and identify pathogens in various environmental media. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) capabilities for detection of E. coli and other microbial indicators of human fecal contamination or disease will be available for routine use.
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