FAECAL BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION OF TROUT HATCHERY WATER EFFLUENT

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the occurrence of faecal bacteria in two trout hatcheries in the Transvaal Province, South Africa. The results indicate that variations in numbers of enteric bacteria are partly caused by man-made changes to the influent water. It was not established whether the bacteria were propogated by the fish, but it was clear that hatcheries can act as reservoirs for allochthonous faecal bacteria.