What are Coliforms?

The name "coliform" is given to a whole group of bacteria, which can occur in water and indicate potential health problems. There are TOTAL COLIFORMS and FECAL COLIFORMS. They both belong to a large group of bacteria called ENTERICS. Most of the bacteria are total coliforms with a few belonging to the group know as fecal coliform. Fecal coliform is considered much more serious from the standpoint of health. In testing water for health safety, fecal coliforms are much more dangerous. Fecal coliform thrives in the human intestine and passes out in high numbers in the fecal material. Most dominant of the fecal coliform is e.coli. E. coli is not always harmful, but at times can cause infections. It is important to remember that the presence of fecal coliform is an indicator of potential pollution.

Water Samplers in the Virgin Islands

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Protections is responsible for the regulation of water quality in the islands. They also license laboratories and samplers. Samplers working for Ocean Systems Laboratory have been trained and licensed by this division of the V.I. Government and must take a course and an examination every two years to maintain their license. Our certified drinking water samplers are Tina Baker, Lester Browne, Judith Buchan, Mary Lou Coulston, Neil Coulston, Robert Dimon, Richard Falk, Levelle Henry, Scott Malcolm, James Meyers and Costa de la Motta. Ocean Systems also works cooperatively with Marcella Jennings of Auset Water Testing Laboratory to supply certified samplers.

Bioimpact Continues Water Quality Monitoring Program

Amy Dempsey of Bioimpact continues water quality monitoring for the construction of the Pond Bay Development on St. John, USVI. Ocean Systems Laboratory will be doing laboratory analysis of Enterococci, fecal coliform, turbidity, chlorophyll, sediments, phosphates and nitrates during the construction period. This project, along with additional monitoring, should continue well after the construction has been completed. Read more about Amy on the About Us page.

Lab Staff: Trained Beach Samplers

Ocean Systems Laboratory has participated in a beach sampler's training course and now has ceritfied beach samplers for the beach monitoring program. The samplers are Ms. Judith A. Buchan, Mr. Neil B. Coulston, Ms. Levelle Henry, Ms. Nancy J. Tabbert, Mr. Costa de LaMotto, Irma Gomez-Gomez, and Mr. Richard Falk. They will assist Ms. Donna Gilbert during the weekly sampling of St. Croix popular beaches.

Oil and Grease Testing EPA 1664

The St. Thomas Laboratory has initiated testing of Oil and Grease utilizing EPA Method 1664. The laboratory is running Oil and Grease on soils and water. Costs for these tests run $150.00 for soil and $85.00 for water. The laboratory will furnished the required bottles for the collection of samples. E-mail us for more information. We are testing Oil & Grease, formally known as n-hexane extractable material (HEM's) (EPA Method 1664A). The extraction has replaced Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons as the standard for determining all extractable oil and grease. We are using this method for oil and grease determination in sewage influents and effluents and in soils for determining amount of these pollutants in any soil parcel.

Laboratory Awarded V.I. Beach Monitoring Program

Ocean Systems Laboratory of St. Thomas, was awarded the water quality-monitoring contract for beach monitoring in 2007 for local island beaches. The BEACH Act funding from the Federal EPA allows for the local government to develop a comprehensive beach monitoring and public notification plan for beaches within the Virgin Islands Territory. The Laboratory provides the weekly collection of sites and the analysis of Enterococci bacteria. The Enterococci bacteria are indicators of sewage pollution. The program provides beach users with up-to-date information on beach safety. Ocean Systems Laboratory of St. Croix has been conducting the BEACH study since 2004.