EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT BACTERIOPHAGE GROUPS AS FECAL INDICATORS IN CONTAMINATED NATURAL-WATERS IN SOUTHERN ENGLAND

River and seawater affected by faecal discharges were analysed to evaluate the reliability of coliphages and F-specific RNA bacteriophages as indicators of the microbiological quality of waters. F-specific RNA bacteriophages showed no direct relationship with the levels of faecal pollution, and this group was never detected in samples with a low level of enteroviruses (1-10 pfu/10.1.). In contrast, coliphages were constantly detected in the same samples. The concentration of coliphages detected in the samples with 1-10 and > 10 pfu/101. of enteroviruses were similar and higher than the Economical European Community guide and imperative levels of faecal coliforms (100 and 2000 FC/100 ml, respectively). Therefore, coliphages would be considered as an optimal indicator of the microbiological quality of the natural waters.