E.coli in Irish drinking water 'unacceptable'

More than a third of private drinking water supplies and 8% of public water supplies in Ireland were contaminated with E.coli during 2006-07.

E. coli is a type of fecal coliform bacteria commonly found in the intestines of animals and humans.  E. coli is short for Escherichia coli.  The presence of E. coli in water is a strong indication of recent sewage or animal waste contamination. Sewage may contain many types of disease-causing organisms.