Bacteriophages, also named phages, are virus that infect and replicate within bacteria.
Bacteriophages are forced parasites, they can only replicate inside a bacterial cell.
Bacteriophages are suitable for being used as indicators of different aspects related with fecal pollution.
The detection and enumeration of an infectious (living) bacteriophage depends on the fact that they lyse a susceptible host cell.
Concentration of fecal indicators in sources of fecal contamination.
Persistence in the environment and resistance to water and sludge treatments.
