The Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation Inc.(CALA) has rated MBL proficient for the following bacteria testing:
| Test Parameter | Method Of Analysis | Status |
| Escherichia coli (E. coli) | Membrane Filtration (DC-Agar) | Proficient |
| Fecal (Thermotolerant) Coliforms | Membrane Filtration (mFC) | Proficient. |
| Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) | Membrane Filtration (PCA) | Proficient |
| Total Coliforms | Membrane Filtration (DC-Agar) | Proficient. |
| Escherichia coli (E. coli) | Presence/Absence | Proficient |
| Total Coliforms | Presence/Absence | Proficient. |
Coliform Bacteria
The coliform bacteria are used as indicators of potential health risk for water. Coliforms are divided into 2 groups; total coliforms, i.e., all the coliform bacteria; and the fecal coliforms. The fecal coliforms are dominated by Escherichia coli (E. coli). E. coli are common in human intestines and they are generally harmless. However, some strains such as 0157 can cause serious infections.
Presence of fecal coliforms in water is widely accepted as indicator of potential contamination of water with fecal material. Contamination of water with fecal material presents greater risk of infectious microorganism such as viruses, other bacteria, protozoa and even worms.