Which bacterial group indicates fecal contamination or sewage pollution?

The bacterial group that is commonly associated with fecal contamination or sewage pollution is coliforms. Coliform bacteria are a broad class of bacteria that are naturally present in the environment, including in soil, vegetation, and the intestines of warm-blooded animals. Their presence in water or food is considered an indicator of fecal contamination, suggesting that pathogens could also be present, which poses a health risk.

Coliforms are used in water testing because they can be easily identified and their presence indicates that water may be contaminated with feces from warm-blooded animals, including humans. This serves as a warning sign for potential pathogens that are harmful to human health.

While Pseudomonas and Salmonella can be associated with different types of contamination, they do not serve as reliable indicators of fecal pollution in the same way that coliforms do. Pseudomonas species can be found in soil and water environments and are not exclusively tied to fecal matter, while Salmonella is a specific type of pathogen typically associated with foodborne illness rather than a general indicator of fecal contamination. Thus, coliforms are the primary bacterial group that indicates fecal contamination or sewage pollution.