Coliphage presence in various types of potable water in Thailand

Abstract

Three types of drinking water used in Thailand, tap water, rain water and deep well water (200 m) were tested for bacteriological and coliphage content. 13.5% of the samples contained only coliphage and 13% contained both coliphage and total coliforms. The incidence of coliphage in these potable water supplies reflect the probability of human pathogenic virus also surviving in these waters. The H 2 S paper-strip test was found to be an equally sensitive indicator of coliform presence compared to MF and MPN total coliform procedures.