An indicator of the number of bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) that specifically damage somatic Escherichia coli cells. It is most often expressed as the number of colony-forming units (CFU/100 ml)
Shows the microbiological quality of water and the possible presence of fecal contamination
Somatic coliphages are reliable indicators of viral contamination because their presence indicates the possible existence of pathogenic viruses in water
This indicator is used as an additional microbiological risk assessment criterion, especially when it is necessary to assess the survival of viruses in the environment
In occupational health and safety assessments (drinking water quality)
In water control of industrial facilities (food industry, technological processes)
In environmental studies (assessment of the condition of water bodies, wastewater analysis, monitoring of viral pollution)
