Eddie wrote in message
...
i recently bought a property with a 1/2 acre farm pond, which was of
course
one of the strongest selling points. i havent' moved in yet, but upon
further inspection, i have some concerns about the pond.

Your questions are very good ones, and probably cannot be answered
definitively without an on site inspection. My only contribution is to say
that the human strains of E.Coli are distinguishable from that of other
animals, and usually animal E.Coli are not toxic to humans (but human
strains can be). However, presence of E.Coli of any species suggests fecal
contamination and makes swimming, etc, aesthetically unpleasant.

Perhaps your local county agricultural agent can suggest a qualified pond
inspector.