AWWA QTC97170

Characterization of exposure to enteric pathogens from water requires information on pathogen occurrence and concentrations. In order to collect this information, rapid, reliable and economic methods of detecting low levels of pathogens in contaminated water are necessary. The detection methods for protozoa, bacteria and viruses have relied on concentrating their typically low numbers from large volumes of water by filtration. Differences in the characteristics of these microbes have required the use of separate concentration techniques. This paper describes the development of a unified primary concentration system for Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts as well as viruses and bacteria using an inexpensive, disposable, compact, lightweight hollow fiber ultrafilter. The system was tested for recovery efficiency of seeded Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, Escherichia coli and coliphage MS2 from 50L volumes of finished tap water and 10L volumes of raw source water.