1. 4rth Summary- Water Sampling and Testing and Dr. Javier Arce February 28, 2014
Coliphages are bacteriophages that infect coliforms (E. coli). They are microbiological indicators, namely
microorganisms whose presence determine whether or not pathogens are present. They are commonly
used to indicate if water is polluted by fecal coliforms. The objective of this investigation is to examine
water samples for pollution due to animal fecal matter brought from different areas. There are different
common water sampling procedures to indicate pollution such as indicator organisms, fecal indicators
and molecular identification of indicator organisms. Nonetheless, these procedures have their faults and
disadvantages, which is why the coliphage method is used. This method is more efficient since it is fast,
there is no need for confirmation tests, it is cost-effective and it is a simple procedure. The purpose of
this research is to compare distilled water with non-treated water to confirm the efficiency of water
treatments using the coliphage methodThis method will prove whether or not these water treatments
are efficiently reducing or eliminating animal fecal matter from water. In this method, E.coli are used
since they are ideal for indicating the presence of coliphages. To perform this method, a tryptic soy
broth (TSB), used as a growth media for the culturing of bacteria, and an agar flask are removed from
the water bath at 60°C. Using aseptic technique, 2 mL of E. coli and 100mLof the water sample are
added to the 100 mL of TSB and agar flask when the temperature drops slightly. Finally, 8 empty labeled
petri dishes are filled with the solution before it solidifies and until the bottom of each dish is completely
filled. Next they are incubated at 36° C. After 24 hours of incubation, there were no microbiological
indictors in the dishes, meaning that the water samples showed no fecal contamination, hence there
were no phages, and results were negative. Coliphages are used to reveal water quality by detecting
bacteria and viruses in water that can cause illnesses. By using these bacteriophages, water quality can
be identified in water sources, and it can prevent diseases caused by water pollution.