Related Experiment Videos
Coliphages as indicators of enteroviruses
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|September 1, 1984
Summary
Coliphages, viruses infecting bacteria, were monitored in drinking water treatment. They proved effective indicators, correlating better with enteroviruses than bacteria, and were absent in final treated water.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Water quality monitoring
- Virology
Background:
- Drinking water treatment plants aim to remove pathogens.
- Trihalomethanes (THMs) are disinfection byproducts.
- Indicator organisms are used to assess water safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate coliphages as indicators of viral contamination in drinking water.
- To assess the effectiveness of a modified drinking water treatment process.
- To compare the correlation of coliphages with other microbial indicators.
Main Methods:
- Direct inoculation and concentration methods for coliphage detection.
- Monitoring coliphage and indicator bacteria levels through treatment stages.
- Statistical analysis to determine correlations between different microbial groups.
Main Results:
- Coliphages were detectable in source water and through treatment processes.
- Filter recovery efficiency for coliphages varied from 1% to 53%.
- Coliphages showed a stronger correlation with enteroviruses than with coliforms or fecal streptococci.
Conclusions:
- Coliphages are viable indicators for monitoring viral water quality.
- The modified treatment process effectively removed coliphages.
- Coliphages offer a more reliable indicator of enterovirus presence than traditional bacterial indicators.