4 reasons why E.coli is selected as indicator of water potability? - *I've tried few* (Dec/19/2009 )

List 4 reasons why E.coli is selected as indicator of water potability?

My wildly guessed answer:

1.) Its replication rate is very high so its presence can be detected easily so we know that water is not potable or drinkable.
2.)
3.)
4.)

Could not think of anything as this isn't covered anywhere in the module.


WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD HELP ME OUT OR JUST GIVE SOME IDEAS PLEASE. THANKS.

2) e.coli is found in sewage

exactly...you won't have contamination from sewage without seeing e coli (almost impossible for that to occur)

tests for it are easy and cheap, too.

3. known human pathogen