To protect public health, drinking water systems are monitored for indicator organisms that correlate with fecal contamination and suggest the presence of human pathogens. Total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and E. coli are the most commonly used indicator organisms. These bacteria generally colocate with fecal pollution, but some limitations exist. In particular, the ability of indicator bacteria to predict the presence of enteric viruses is questionable because of distinct transport and survival characteristics of bacteria and viruses. Although viral indicators of enteric viruses have been proposed, none have been implemented into the current regulatory framework. In this thesis, the correlation of bacteria and viruses in drinking water sources and treatment systems is reviewed, and the potential of Torque Teno virus (TTV) to qualify as an indicator virus is discussed. TTV is unique among enteric viruses as it infects approximately 80% of healthy individuals worldwide, is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, causes no observable illness, and lacks seasonal fluctuations.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:wpi.edu/oai:digitalcommons.wpi.edu:etd-theses-1175 |
| Date | 15 March 2009 |
| Creators | Griffin, Jennifer Shoener |
| Contributors | Jeanine D. Plummer, Advisor, , , Sharon Long, James OShaughnessy |
| Publisher | Digital WPI |
| Source Sets | Worcester Polytechnic Institute |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Masters Theses (All Theses, All Years) |
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