ASTM D6503-24

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D6503 − 24
Standard Test Method for
1,2
Enterococci in Water Using Enterolert
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6503; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
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1.1 This test method covers a simple procedure for the 2.1 ASTM Standards:
detection of enterococci in water and wastewater. It is based on D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
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IDEXX’s patented Defined Substrate Technology (DST). This D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
product, Enterolert, utilizes a nutrient indicator that fluoresces D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
when metabolized. It can detect these bacteria at one most Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
probable number (MPN)/100 mL within 24 h. The presence of D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Flowing Process
this microorganism in water is an indication of fecal contami- Streams
nation and the possible presence of enteric pathogens.
3. Terminology
1.2 This test method can be used successfully with drinking
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
water, source water, recreational (fresh and marine) water,
method, refer to Terminology D1129.
wastewater, and bottled water. It is the user’s responsibility to
ensure the validity of this test method for waters of untested 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
matrices.
3.2.1 enterococci, n—a gram positive bacteria possessing
the enzyme β-D-glucosidase, which cleaves the nutrient indi-
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
cator and produces fluorescence under a long wave length
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
(365 nm to 366 nm) ultraviolet (UV) light.
standard.
3.2.2 most probable number (MPN), n—a statistical method
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
for determining bacterial density based on the Poisson distri-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
bution.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- 3.2.3 presence-absence, n—a term used to indicate if en-
terococci are present or absent in a water sample.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- 3.2.3.1 Discussion—It is a qualitative value, “yes” or “no”
for reporting results.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.2.4 Quanti-Tray, n—a system for the quantification of
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Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
enterococci.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.2.4.1 Discussion—It consists of a sealer and trays which
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
have multi-wells and can enumerate up to 2419 MPN/100 mL
without dilution using the Quanti-Tray 2000 tray or it can
detect up to 200.5 MPN/100 mL using the 51-well Quanti-
1
Tray.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.24 on Water Microbiology.
3.2.5 snap pack, n—a package containing Enterolert reagent
Current edition approved April 1, 2024. Published April 2024. Originally
for testing 100 mL sample either in the P/A format or quanti-
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as D6503 – 19. DOI:
10.1520/D6503-24. tatively.
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Enterolert and Quanti-Tray are trademarks of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., in
Westbrook, ME. IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is the sole source of supply of Enterolert
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and Quanti-Tray. If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
information to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee, which Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
you may attend. the ASTM website.
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D6503 − 24
4. Summary of Test Method 10.2 Sample Storage Temperature and Handling
Conditions—Ice or refrigerate water samples at a temperat
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