AWWA WQTC71350

Coliphage is one of the indicators that can be used in monitoring under the Ground Water Rule. Unlike bacterial indicators, these viruses have greater survivability and may serve as better predictors of groundwater quality. Simple coliphage methods are needed to indicate fecal and viral contamination of water. Method 1601 is a performance based method where acceptance criteria for method performance were developed in collaborative testing and published as part of the method. Method improvements may be demonstrated using a Tier 2 study which allows the method validated as an improved U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) method. Tier 2 validation is done using a prescribed protocol in a multi-lab study where blind samples are provided to each lab for analysis. The data are analyzed with respect to both recovery and variability within and across the participating labs. If the results meet the method acceptance criteria, the improved method is considered a USEPA validated method for use in water testing. This study describes a 16 hr method modification of Method 1601, called Fast Phage™, for the detection of coliphage using a 100ml sample with a same day spot step positive prediction using a fluorescent indicator. Includes tables, extended abstract only.