Colilert*
- The Colilert test simultaneously detects or quantifies both total coliforms and Escherichia coli, with results in 24 hours.
- U.S. EPA approved and included in Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater.
Overview
Proven
- U.S. EPA-approved, 24-hour test for drinking, wastewater and source waters.
- International approvals include AOAC, IBWA, and EBWA.
- Millions of tests performed worldwide every year.
Easy
- Ease of use simplifies training.
- Unit-dosed packaging eliminates media preparation.
- No repeat testing due to clogged filters or heterotrophic interference.
- Quality Control (QC) procedure can be done in 15 minutes.
Rapid
- Less than 1 minute of hands-on time.
- Detects coliforms and E. coli simultaneously in 24 hours or less.
- No confirmations needed.
- No glassware cleaning or colony counting.
Accurate
- Identifies E. coli specifically, eliminating unnecessary public notification due to non-target organisms.
- Suppresses up to 2 million heterotrophs per 100 mL.
- Eliminates the subjective interpretation found in traditional methods.
- Detects a single viable coliform or E. coli per sample.
Economical
- Minimizes evening and weekend work.
- Up to 12-month shelf life at room temperature.
Flexible
- Can be used for presence/absence (P/A) or quantification testing with Quanti-Tray and Quanti-Tray/2000.
- The Colilert Test is also available predispensed in 10mL Most Probable Number (MPN) tubes.
Science
The Colilert Test uses proprietary Defined Substrate Technology (DST) to simultaneously detect total coliforms and E. coli. Two nutrient-indicators, ONPG and MUG, are the major sources of carbon in Colilert and can be metabolized by the coliform enzyme β-galactosidase and the E. coli enzyme β-glucuronidase, respectively.
As coliforms grow in the Colilert Test, they use β-galactosidase to metabolize ONPG and change it from colorless to yellow.
E. coli use β-glucuronidase to metabolize MUG and create fluorescence. Since most non-coliforms do not have these enzymes, they are unable to grow and interfere. The few non-coliforms that do have these enzymes are selectively suppressed by the Colilert Test's specifically formulated matrix.
This approach is different from traditional media, which provide a nutrient-rich environment that supports the growth of both target organisms and nontargets. When nontargets grow and mimic target organisms, false positives occur. Growth of nontargets can also suppress target organisms and give false negatives in traditional media. To suppress nontargets, traditional media often include high levels of salts, detergents, or other selective agents that may inadvertently suppress target organisms and give further false negatives.
Only IDEXX reagents have been validated and approved for use with Quanti-Tray and Quanti-Tray/2000.
How to use
Learn how to use the Colilert test
Presence/Absence
Step 1
Add reagent to sample and incubate at 35°C±0.5°C for 24 hours.
Step 2
Read results:
- Colorless = negative
- Yellow = total coliforms
- Yellow/fluorescent = E. coli
Quantification
Step 1
Add reagent to sample.
Pour into Step 3
Seal in Quanti-Tray Sealer and place in 35°C ± 0.5°C incubator for 24 hours (in other countries, the temperature requirement may be different per regulatory requirements).
Step 4: Quanti-Tray
Quanti-Tray—Read results:
- Yellow wells = total coliforms
- Yellow/fluorescent wells = E. coli
- Count positive wells and refer to MPN table
Step 4: Quanti-Tray/2000
Quanti-Tray/2000—Read results:
- Yellow wells = total coliforms
- Yellow/fluorescent wells = E. coli
- Count positive wells and refer to MPN table
Frequently asked questions
Store at 2–30°C and away from light.
The Colilert comparator is a liquid color and fluourescent reference. Its purpose is to assist in distinguishing a minimal positive from a negative test result.
At 24–28 hours, any yellow color or fluorescence equal to or greater than the comparator is considered a positive test result.
The Colilert reagent powder should be white to off-white in color; it should be dry and free-flowing. Any concerns about the color or integrity of the reagent powder should be directed to IDEXX Technical Services.
Yes, if they are negative. If an inoculated Colilert sample is inadvertently incubated over 28 hours, lack of yellow color is a valid negative test; a yellow color after the 28 hours is not valid and should be repeated or verified.
Yes, if they are positive. An inoculated Colilert sample that is positive for coliforms and E. coli before 24 hours is a valid positive test for both coliforms and E. coli. If the sample is positive before 24 hours for coliforms only, the sample is a valid positive test for coliforms. However, the sample should be incubated for a longer period (up to 24 hours, but not greater than 28 hours total time) to determine whether E. coli are present.
The reagent system was designed to suppress non-coliform ONPG or MUG positive bacteria for at least 28 hours. If incubation extends past 28 hours, it is possible that such bacteria will overcome the Colilert test suppression system and react with ONPG or MUG. When incubation exceeds 28 hours, only negative results are valid. Positive results must be confirmed by classical methods.
You can quantify the Colilert test with Quanti-Tray, Quanti-Tray/2000 or any multiple-tube format.
Check with your local, state, and/or federal authorities for proper disposal of bacteriological biohazard materials at your facility.
Yes. The Colilert test is U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved as a method for total coliform and E. coli detection in drinking water and for E. coli detection in the following types of waters: ambient waters, surface water, ground water, wastewater.
The Colilert test detects total coliforms and E. coli at 1 organism/100 mL.
The shelf life of the Colilert test is up to 12 months from the date of manufacture for the snap pack formats (100 mL) and up to 15 months from the date of manufacture for glass-tube formats (10 mL).
Resources & Tools
Tests & Accessories
Product Information
Colilert Test (20-test pack)
Product Number: 98-12972-00
Catalog Number: WP020I
Colilert Test (100-test pack)
Product Number: 98-27163-00
Catalog Number: WP100I
Colilert Test (200-test pack)
Product Number: 98-12973-00
Catalog Number: WP200I
10mL Colilert Test (100-test pack)
Product Number: 98-14770-00
Catalog Number: W100I
10mL Colilert Test (200-test pack)
Product Number: 98-14771-00
Catalog Number: W200I
IDEXX-QC Coliform and E. coli Kit
Product Number: 98-29000-01
Catalog Number: WQC-TCEC
IDEXX-QC Fecal Coliform Kit
Product Number: 998-29001-01
Catalog Number: WQC-FC
IDEXX-QC E. coli Kit
Product Number: 98-29007-01
Catalog Number: WQC-EC
Snap pack and Quanti-Tray combination packs are also available.
Resources
IDEXX Water has reference materials and approval documents to support the many products in our water portfolio. Find the document(s) you need by selecting the link below.
Water Customer Support
Corporate Headquarters
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
One IDEXX Drive
Westbrook, Maine 04092 USA
Tel: 1-800-321-0207
Fax: 1-207-556-4630
*The Colilert Test is intended to be used only for water quality research and analysis, by technically qualified individuals or under their supervision.