AS/NZS 4276.1:2021
Water microbiology, Method 1: Water quality – General requirements and guidance for microbiological examinations by culture (ISO 8199:2018, MOD)
This standard specifies requirements and provides guidance for performing the manipulations common to each culture technique for the microbiological examination of water, particularly the preparation of samples, culture media, and general apparatus and glassware, unless otherwise required in the specific standard.
It also describes the various techniques available for detection and enumeration by culture, and the criteria for determining which technique is appropriate.
This standard is mainly intended for examinations for bacteria, yeasts and moulds, but some aspects are also applicable to bacteriophages, viruses and parasites. It excludes techniques not based on culturing microorganisms, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods.
This standard is an adoption with national modifications, and has been reproduced from, ISO 8199:2018, Water quality — General requirements and guidance for microbiological examinations by culture.
In 2025, the P4828 Rejoining of Microbiology Standards committee was formed to consider this standard’s suitability (and the suitability of other Australian water microbiology standards) for rejoining as Australian/New Zealand standards.
| Get this standard | Prices exclude GST | |
|---|---|---|
| PDF ( Single user document) |
$219.71 NZD
|
|
| HardCopy |
$244.13 NZD
|
|
| Networkable PDF |
Price varies
|
|
| Online Library ( Annual subscription) |
Info
Price varies
Online Library subscription information Online library subscriptions provide a cost-effective solution for organisations of any size to access the latest standards, offering 24/7 access to a personalised catalogue. The service ensures subscribers have have the most up-to-date version of selected standards, incluing automatic updates for any amendments or versions. Pricing is dependent on the chosen standards and the number of concurrent users, with discounts applied from the standards PDF price. For customised subscriptions or further inquiries, contact the Online Library team. |
AS/NZS 4276.1:2021
SA/SNZ - Cover page
Preface
Foreword
Introduction
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Principle
5 General measurement requirements
5.1 Uniformity of temperatures
5.2 Incubation times
5.3 Volumes and masses
6 Diluents and culture media
6.1 General
6.2 Quality requirements of ingredients
6.3 Diluents
7 Sterilization and decontamination
7.1 Sterilization of apparatus and glassware
7.2 Sterilization of consumables
7.3 Decontamination of glassware and materials after use
7.4 Waste management
8 Samples and sample handling
8.1 Sampling
8.2 Sample preparation
8.2.1 Waters and other aqueous matrices
8.2.2 Swabs
9 Enumeration (quantitative) methods
9.1 Inoculation of test portions in (or on) solid media
9.1.1 General
9.1.2 Pour plate technique
9.1.3 Spread plate technique
9.1.4 Membrane filtration technique
9.1.5 Incubation
9.1.6 Counting and confirmation from solid media
9.1.7 General guidance for calculation of results
9.1.8 Expression of results
9.2 Enumeration using a liquid medium
9.2.1 General
9.2.2 Procedure
9.2.3 Choice of inoculation system
9.2.4 Incubation
9.2.5 Interpretation of results
9.2.6 Uncertainty of test results
9.2.7 Determination of MPN values
10 Detection (qualitative) methods
10.1 General
10.2 Procedure
10.3 Uncertainty of test results
11 Performance characteristics of methods
12 Analytical quality control
12.1 General
12.2 Internal quality control
12.2.1 General
12.2.2 Process controls
12.3 External quality assessment
Annex A (informative) Criteria for the choice of technique
Annex B (informative) Confidence intervals for colony count technique and choice of method of calculation in special cases
Annex C (normative) Counting and calculations with two Petri dishes per dilution
Annex D (normative) Composition, preparation and performance testing of diluents
Bibliography
Appendix ZZ (normative) Variations to ISO 8199:2018 for Australia
Amendment control sheet
Amendments
Previous versions
Keep me up-to-date
Sign up to receive updates when there are changes to this standard
Related Information
Similar Standards
-
AS/NZS 2031:2001
Selection of containers and preservation of water samples for microbiological analysis
-
AS/NZS 3666.1:2011
Air-handling and water systems of buildings - Microbial control - Part 1: Design, installation and commissioning -
AS/NZS 3666.2:2011
Air-handling and water systems of buildings - Microbial control - Part 2: Operation and maintenance
-
AS/NZS 3666.3:2011
Air-handling and water systems of buildings - Microbial control - Part 3: Performance-based maintenance of cooling water systems
AS/NZS 4276.1:2021
SA/SNZ - Cover page
Preface
Foreword
Introduction
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Principle
5 General measurement requirements
5.1 Uniformity of temperatures
5.2 Incubation times
5.3 Volumes and masses
6 Diluents and culture media
6.1 General
6.2 Quality requirements of ingredients
6.3 Diluents
7 Sterilization and decontamination
7.1 Sterilization of apparatus and glassware
7.2 Sterilization of consumables
7.3 Decontamination of glassware and materials after use
7.4 Waste management
8 Samples and sample handling
8.1 Sampling
8.2 Sample preparation
8.2.1 Waters and other aqueous matrices
8.2.2 Swabs
9 Enumeration (quantitative) methods
9.1 Inoculation of test portions in (or on) solid media
9.1.1 General
9.1.2 Pour plate technique
9.1.3 Spread plate technique
9.1.4 Membrane filtration technique
9.1.5 Incubation
9.1.6 Counting and confirmation from solid media
9.1.7 General guidance for calculation of results
9.1.8 Expression of results
9.2 Enumeration using a liquid medium
9.2.1 General
9.2.2 Procedure
9.2.3 Choice of inoculation system
9.2.4 Incubation
9.2.5 Interpretation of results
9.2.6 Uncertainty of test results
9.2.7 Determination of MPN values
10 Detection (qualitative) methods
10.1 General
10.2 Procedure
10.3 Uncertainty of test results
11 Performance characteristics of methods
12 Analytical quality control
12.1 General
12.2 Internal quality control
12.2.1 General
12.2.2 Process controls
12.3 External quality assessment
Annex A (informative) Criteria for the choice of technique
Annex B (informative) Confidence intervals for colony count technique and choice of method of calculation in special cases
Annex C (normative) Counting and calculations with two Petri dishes per dilution
Annex D (normative) Composition, preparation and performance testing of diluents
Bibliography
Appendix ZZ (normative) Variations to ISO 8199:2018 for Australia
Amendment control sheet
Amendments
Previous versions
AS/NZS 4276.1:2021
Online Library subscription information
Online library subscriptions provide a cost-effective solution for organisations of any size to access the latest standards, offering 24/7 access to a personalised catalogue. The service ensures subscribers have have the most up-to-date version of selected standards, incluing automatic updates for any amendments or versions. Pricing is dependent on the chosen standards and the number of concurrent users, with discounts applied from the standards PDF price. For customised subscriptions or further inquiries, contact the Online Library team.