ISO 14189-2013 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 14189:2013 — Water quality — Enumeration of Clostridium perfringens — Method using membrane filtration. This International Standard specifies a membrane‑filtration procedure for the enumeration of vegetative cells and spores of Clostridium perfringens in water samples, primarily intended for water for human consumption but applicable to other waters that do not contain particulate or colloidal matter interfering with filtration.

Abstract

ISO 14189:2013 describes a microbiological analytical method based on membrane filtration to detect and enumerate C. perfringens (vegetative cells and spores) in water. The standard defines sampling considerations, filtration and culture conditions, colony confirmation, and calculation/reporting of results to support water quality monitoring and sanitary assessment.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed international standard).
• Publication date: 2013 (Edition 1, published late 2013 — many catalogue entries list 29 October 2013; ISO lists the edition as 2013-11).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 07.100.20 — Microbiology of water.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2013).
• Number of pages: 12 (main ISO document length).

Scope

ISO 14189:2013 specifies a membrane filtration method for enumerating both vegetative cells and spores of Clostridium perfringens in samples of water intended for human consumption. The procedure can be applied to other types of water provided particulate or colloidal material does not prevent effective membrane filtration. The standard is intended for routine monitoring, surveillance and investigation of water quality and sanitary conditions.

Key topics and requirements

• Membrane filtration technique for concentration of organisms from defined sample volumes.
• Culture media and incubation conditions optimized for recovery of C. perfringens (including detection of spores and vegetative cells).
• Procedures for colony enumeration, confirmation tests and reporting results as counts per unit volume.
• Guidance on sample types and limitations (unsuitable where filtration is obstructed by particulates/colloids).
• Quality control and interpretation notes for use in water quality monitoring and public health assessment.

Typical use and users

Used by public health and environmental laboratories, water utilities, regulatory bodies, contract testing laboratories and researchers performing microbiological monitoring of drinking water, recreational waters and environmental waters. Typical applications include routine surveillance, contamination source investigations and validation of treatment processes that target spore‑forming bacteria.

Related standards

ISO 14189:2013 is part of the ISO suite addressing microbiology and water quality (ICS 07.100.20). Related documents often referenced alongside it include other ISO standards for membrane filtration and enumeration of indicator organisms and specific pathogen detection methods; regional or national equivalents (EN, national adoptions) may exist that transpose ISO 14189 into regional standards.

Keywords

Clostridium perfringens; water quality; membrane filtration; microbiology; enumeration; spores; drinking water monitoring; ISO 14189.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 14189:2013 is an International Standard specifying a membrane filtration method for the enumeration of Clostridium perfringens (vegetative cells and spores) in water samples.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sampling considerations (in the context of laboratory testing), the membrane filtration procedure, culture media and incubation conditions, confirmation tests, enumeration calculations and reporting of results. It is intended for waters suitable for membrane filtration (i.e., not heavily particulate).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Public health and environmental testing laboratories, water suppliers, regulators and researchers engaged in microbiological water quality monitoring and sanitary investigations.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document was published in 2013 (Edition 1) and has been maintained in ISO’s catalogue; the ISO bibliographic entry shows the 2013 edition as the current/confirmed version as of recent review cycles. Users should check their national standards body or ISO catalogue for any updates or national adoptions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the broader ISO/TC 147 series addressing water quality and microbiological methods (ICS 07.100.20). It complements other ISO methods for different indicator organisms and pathogens.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Clostridium perfringens; membrane filtration; enumeration; water quality; microbiology; drinking water monitoring; spores.