What is the allowable fecal coliform number upstream of a WWTP typically recognized?

The typically recognized allowable fecal coliform number upstream of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is generally around 15 Most Probable Number (MPN) per 100 mL of water. This standard serves as a benchmark to monitor the quality of water entering a treatment facility.

Fecal coliform is a group of bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals and indicates possible contamination by pathogens, which can have significant health implications. The threshold is set to ensure that the water entering the treatment process is not excessively polluted, allowing the facility to effectively manage and treat incoming wastewater.

By maintaining this limit, wastewater treatment facilities can better assess their operational effectiveness and environmental impact, ensuring that the incoming water quality won't overload their systems or compromise the treatment process. Thus, the answer of 15 MPN is recognized as a standard for comparative purposes in many regulatory frameworks.