Charm Sciences’ new Fast Phage test detects coliphage, a viral indicator of fecal contamination in water, in less than 8 hours. With its fast results, Fast Phage enables municipalities and public health officials to be proactive – providing rapid remediation of risks in ground water supplies.

Faster is better…

Viral Water Quality Indicator Test Positives detected in less than 8 hours Negatives confirmed in 16 hours About Coliphage Coliphage are viruses that infect E. coli and coliform bacteria. Coliphage are indicators for enteric viruses analogous to using E. coli as indicators for pathogenic bacteria. Coliphage were added as an equivalent fecal indicator to E. coli and Enterococci in the Ground Water Rule.

Why Coliphage Testing Makes Sense with Fast Phage

Speed: Current E. coli tests take 18 - 96 hours to determine a negative. Current EPA tests for coliphage take 36 - 60 hours for result. Fast Phage has an 8-hour predictor for fecal contamination, enabling a same-day public health response.

Safety: Complement your bacterial testing. Since 1990, viral contamination has been the source of more than half of all of waterborne illnesses. Bacterial (coliform/E. coli) indicator tests for drinking water are blind to viral contamination, so even if water passes bacterial testing, it could still contain viral risk.

 Fast Phage Brochure

 ASM 2009 Poster – Same Day and Continuous Detection of Coliphage in Water

 Water Quality Technology Conference