AquaVerify

Water microbiology, LIMS and traceability glossary

A technical knowledge hub for buyers, laboratories, water operators, quality teams, distributors and OEM partners evaluating water microbiology workflows.

Water microbiology, LIMS and traceability glossary

Knowledge glossary

Water microbiology, LIMS and traceability glossary

A technical knowledge hub for buyers, laboratories, water operators, quality teams, distributors and OEM partners evaluating water microbiology workflows.

135 terms · 68 technical term pages

Explore priority terms

  • Bacteriophage

    A bacteriophage is a virus that infects specific bacteria and replicates within them. In water quality, bacteriophages are used as viral models or indicators to study fecal contamination, treatment behaviour and microbiological barrier performance.

    Related AquaVerify product: ISO/EPA Kits · Related sector: Laboratories and municipal

  • Biofilm

    A biofilm is a microbial community attached to a surface and protected by an extracellular matrix. In water networks it can act as a reservoir of microorganisms and contribute to recontamination.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Instalaciones e industria

  • Host strain

    A host strain is the bacterium used as the host to detect or enumerate bacteriophages in culture methods. Its selection is critical for assay sensitivity and result interpretation.

    Related AquaVerify product: Kits ISO/EPA / Lab Essentials · Related sector: Laboratorios avanzados

  • Total coliforms

    Total coliforms are a broad group of indicator bacteria that may occur in soil, water or fecal environments. They are used to assess system integrity, treatment effectiveness and possible operational issues.

    Related AquaVerify product: INDICA / ENUMERA · Related sector: Municipal y control de calidad

  • F-specific coliphages

    F-specific coliphages are bacteriophages that infect host bacteria through F pili. They are used in methodological and comparative contexts where viral behaviour, source or contamination pathways need to be assessed.

    Related AquaVerify product: ISO/EPA Kits · Related sector: Laboratorios avanzados

  • Somatic coliphages

    Somatic coliphages are bacteriophages that infect Escherichia coli and other enterobacteria through cell-wall receptors. They are used as operational viral indicators in water quality programs and treatment evaluation.

    Related AquaVerify product: ENUMERA / Kits ISO/EPA · Related sector: Municipal and laboratories

  • Fecal contamination

    Fecal contamination is the presence or evidence of human or animal fecal material in a water matrix. It is assessed through indicators such as E. coli, enterococci, coliforms and, in selected programs, coliphages.

    Related AquaVerify product: INDICA / ENUMERA · Related sector: Municipal, agricultura y alimentación

  • Intestinal enterococci

    Intestinal enterococci are Gram-positive bacteria associated with the human and animal gastrointestinal tract. Their relative persistence makes them useful indicators in recreational waters, environmental waters and selected control plans.

    Related AquaVerify product: INDICA / ENUMERA · Related sector: Laboratorios, hostelería y ocio

  • Escherichia coli (E. coli)

    Escherichia coli is a thermotolerant coliform bacterium used worldwide as an indicator of recent fecal contamination. Its presence in drinking water generally requires investigation and corrective action under the applicable framework.

    Related AquaVerify product: INDICA / ENUMERA · Related sector: Municipal, alimentación e instalaciones

  • Legionella

    Legionella is a bacterial genus associated with risks in water installations that generate aerosols, such as domestic hot water, showers, spas, cooling towers or HVAC systems. Its control requires planning, sampling, laboratory analysis and documented actions.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud / Lab Essentials · Related sector: Instalaciones, hoteles y ocio

  • Indicator microorganism

    An indicator microorganism is a microorganism whose presence or concentration is used to infer contamination, treatment effectiveness or deterioration of a water system.

    Related AquaVerify product: ENUMERA / INDICA · Related sector: Todos los sectores

  • PFU / Plaque-forming units

    PFU means plaque-forming unit, a unit used to express infectious viral particles capable of producing lysis plaques in a plaque assay.

    Related AquaVerify product: ENUMERA / Kits ISO/EPA · Related sector: Laboratories

  • Enteric viruses

    Enteric viruses are viruses associated with the intestinal tract that can be transmitted through contaminated water. They include health-relevant groups such as norovirus, adenovirus or enterovirus, depending on the surveillance context.

    Related AquaVerify product: Kits ISO/EPA / AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Municipal, instalaciones y agricultura

  • Directiva (UE) 2020/2184

    Directive (EU) 2020/2184 is the European framework for the quality of water intended for human consumption. It reinforces risk-based management and includes somatic coliphages in treatment evaluation when applicable.

    Related AquaVerify product: Kits ISO/EPA / AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Municipal and laboratories

  • ISO 10705-1

    ISO 10705-1 is part of the ISO 10705 series and focuses on methods for F-specific RNA coliphages, according to the applicable scope and version.

    Related AquaVerify product: ISO/EPA Kits · Related sector: Laboratories

  • ISO 10705-2

    ISO 10705-2 specifies a method for detecting and enumerating somatic coliphages by incubating the sample with a suitable host strain.

    Related AquaVerify product: Kits ISO/EPA / ENUMERA · Related sector: Laboratories and municipal

  • ISO 19458

    ISO 19458 is a reference standard for microbiological water sampling planning, sampling procedures, transport, handling and storage before analysis begins.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud / Lab Essentials · Related sector: Laboratorios, municipal y agricultura

  • ISO 9308

    ISO 9308 is a series of standards for detecting and enumerating Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria in water, using approaches such as membrane filtration or MPN depending on the applicable part.

    Related AquaVerify product: INDICA / ENUMERA · Related sector: Laboratories and municipal

  • ISO/IEC 17025

    ISO/IEC 17025 is the standard for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. In water analysis it relates to valid results, traceability, document control, technical competence and the quality system.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud / Lab Essentials · Related sector: Laboratories

  • Water safety plan

    A water safety plan is a documented plan that identifies risks, controls, sampling points, responsibilities, monitoring and corrective actions in a water system.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Municipal, instalaciones e industria

  • Royal Decree 3/2023

    Royal Decree 3/2023 is the Spanish framework defining technical and sanitary criteria for drinking water quality, control and supply. It is key for operators, laboratories and water managers in Spain.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud / Kits ISO/EPA · Related sector: Municipal, alimentación e instalaciones

  • Royal Decree 487/2022

    Royal Decree 487/2022 is the Spanish regulation on prevention and control of legionellosis in installations that can generate aerosol exposure.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Instalaciones, hostelería y ocio

  • Regulation (EU) 2020/741

    Regulation (EU) 2020/741 establishes minimum requirements for water reuse in the European Union, especially for agricultural irrigation.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud / INDICA · Related sector: Agriculture

  • Water Safety Plan

    A Water Safety Plan is a preventive water-risk management approach covering the path from catchment to user, combining hazards, controls, monitoring and corrective actions.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Municipal e instalaciones

  • Plaque assay

    A plaque assay is a culture method that quantifies bacteriophages through visible lysis plaques formed on a bacterial lawn.

    Related AquaVerify product: ENUMERA / Kits ISO/EPA · Related sector: Laboratories

  • Membrane filtration

    Membrane filtration is a technique in which a volume of water is filtered and the membrane is incubated on a medium to recover and count microorganisms.

    Related AquaVerify product: Lab Essentials / ENUMERA · Related sector: Laboratories

  • Cell lysis

    Cell lysis is the rupture of a bacterial cell, for example after bacteriophage replication, releasing new viral particles and producing a visible lysis zone.

    Related AquaVerify product: ENUMERA · Related sector: Laboratories

  • Limit of detection (LOD)

    The limit of detection is the lowest level of analyte or microorganism that a method can detect under defined conditions, without necessarily implying exact quantification.

    Related AquaVerify product: Kits ISO/EPA / AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Laboratorios y OEM

  • Matrix

    A matrix is the type of sample or environment being analysed, such as drinking water, reclaimed water, pool water, wastewater, surface water, process water or irrigation water.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud / Kits ISO/EPA · Related sector: Todos los sectores

  • OOS / Out of specification

    An out-of-specification result is a result outside a defined limit, criterion or range. It requires review, investigation or action according to procedure.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Laboratorios, QA e industria

  • Sampling point

    A sampling point is the physical location or source where a sample is taken. It should be linked to customer, matrix, analytical plan and traceability.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Todos los sectores

  • TTR / Time to result

    Time to result is the time elapsed from sampling or sample receipt to obtaining and communicating an actionable result.

    Related AquaVerify product: INDICA / AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Laboratorios y QC

  • AquaLab

    AquaLab is the AquaVerify Cloud area focused on laboratory operation, LIMS, protocols, ELN, validations and R&D.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Laboratories

  • AquaVerify Cloud

    AquaVerify Cloud is AquaVerify’s digital platform connecting workflows such as CRM, LIMS, ELN, CoA, customer portal, inventory, logistics, finance, dashboards and AquaAI depending on configuration.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Todos los sectores

  • Audit trail

    An audit trail is a traceable history of events, changes, users, dates, decisions and signatures associated with a record.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Laboratorios y QA

  • Digital chain of custody

    A digital chain of custody is the electronic record documenting who collected, received, handled, analysed, reviewed and approved a sample or result.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Laboratorios y muestreo

  • CoA / Certificate of Analysis

    A certificate of analysis is a formal report summarizing the sample, context, results, units, method, review and delivery to the customer or auditor.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Laboratorios y clientes B2B

  • ELN

    An ELN is an electronic laboratory notebook used to document experiments, runs, evidence, materials, reviews and signatures.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Laboratorios, I+D y validaciones

  • Worksheet

    A worksheet groups samples or results assigned to an analyst for execution, capture and review by work batch.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Laboratories

  • LIMS

    A LIMS is a laboratory information management system that organizes samples, results, worksheets, reports, users, statuses and traceability.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Laboratorios, utilities y QC

  • Customer portal

    A customer portal is an interface where customers or authorized users can view requests, samples, reports or published results.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Laboratorios y clientes B2B

  • SaaS

    SaaS is a cloud software model in which the application is hosted and updated centrally. In laboratories it supports secure access, scalability and deployment without local servers.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Laboratorios y distribuidores

  • TAT / Turnaround Time

    Turnaround time is the cycle time from sample receipt or entry to delivery of the final report or result.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Laboratories

  • Analytical traceability

    Analytical traceability is the ability to reconstruct the complete history of a sample, method, lot, operator, result, review and report.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Todos los sectores

  • Internal quality control

    Internal quality control is the set of controls, reviews and records used by a laboratory to verify that a method or assay is working properly.

    Related AquaVerify product: Lab Essentials / AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Laboratorios y QA

  • ENUMERA

    ENUMERA is the AquaVerify family oriented to quantitative results and microbiological enumeration of water according to the product, matrix and applicable workflow.

    Related AquaVerify product: ENUMERA · Related sector: Laboratorios, municipal y QC

  • INDICA

    INDICA is the AquaVerify family oriented to presence/absence answers, screening and operational verification in water.

    Related AquaVerify product: INDICA · Related sector: QC, instalaciones y agricultura

  • Rapid detection kit

    A rapid detection kit is a preformulated or simplified system designed to reduce handling, standardize steps and accelerate reading compared with traditional workflows, according to intended use.

    Related AquaVerify product: INDICA / ENUMERA · Related sector: Todos los sectores

  • Kits ISO/EPA

    ISO/EPA kits are AquaVerify kits and technical workflows oriented to ISO or EPA methods and references when the analytical plan requires them.

    Related AquaVerify product: ISO/EPA Kits · Related sector: Laboratorios y OEM

  • Lab Essentials

    Lab Essentials are prepared materials, media, controls, reagents and consumables that support microbiological execution in the laboratory.

    Related AquaVerify product: Lab Essentials · Related sector: Laboratories

  • Kit lot

    A kit lot is the manufacturing or supply identifier associated with a kit or component. It should be linked to results when it affects traceability, quality or validation.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud / Lab Essentials · Related sector: Laboratorios y QA

  • Culture medium

    A culture medium is a nutritive or selective preparation that enables growth, detection or differentiation of microorganisms under defined conditions.

    Related AquaVerify product: Lab Essentials · Related sector: Laboratories

  • DHW / Domestic hot water

    Domestic hot water is a building or facility hot-water system. It can be relevant in Legionella prevention programs and aerosolization risk control.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Instalaciones y hostelería

  • Raw water

    Raw water is water captured before treatment. Monitoring it helps understand initial load, risk and the efficiency of downstream processes.

    Related AquaVerify product: ENUMERA / Kits ISO/EPA · Related sector: Municipal y tratamiento

  • Drinking water

    Drinking water is water intended for human consumption and subject to sanitary criteria, control and supply requirements under the applicable framework.

    Related AquaVerify product: Kits ISO/EPA / AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Municipal

  • Process water

    Process water is water used within an industrial or food operation as an ingredient, contact water, cleaning water, cooling water, recirculation water or process support.

    Related AquaVerify product: INDICA / ENUMERA / Cloud · Related sector: Industria y alimentación

  • Reclaimed water

    Reclaimed water is treated wastewater reused for authorized applications such as agricultural irrigation or other uses defined by regulation.

    Related AquaVerify product: INDICA / AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Agricultura e industria

  • CIP

    CIP is cleaning in place of industrial lines, equipment or circuits without full disassembly. Rinse or process water may require microbiological control.

    Related AquaVerify product: INDICA / AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Alimentación, bebidas e industria

  • Agricultural irrigation

    Agricultural irrigation is the application of water to crops through drip, sprinkler, surface or other systems. Its risk profile depends on crop, contact and water quality.

    Related AquaVerify product: INDICA / AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Agriculture

  • Deviation

    A deviation is an incident or nonconformity against a plan, procedure, criterion or expectation. It should be documented, assessed and closed according to procedure.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Calidad y laboratorios

  • Validation dossier

    A validation dossier is a document package containing objective, method, plan, samples, results, deviations, approvals and validation conclusion.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Calidad, I+D y producto

  • Technical review

    Technical review is the evaluation of results, evidence, controls and consistency before approval or report issuance.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Laboratories

  • SOP

    An SOP is a standard operating procedure that describes how to perform an activity in a controlled and repeatable way.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Laboratorios e I+D

  • Method validation

    Method validation is the formal process used to demonstrate that a method is suitable for its intended use under defined conditions.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud / Kits ISO/EPA · Related sector: Laboratorios y OEM

  • Method verification

    Method verification confirms that a laboratory can properly perform an established method in its own environment, scope and matrices.

    Related AquaVerify product: AquaVerify Cloud · Related sector: Laboratories

  • Authorized distributor

    An authorized distributor is an approved commercial partner that sells AquaVerify products, provides local support, facilitates inventory and channels opportunities in its territory.

    Related AquaVerify product: Distribuidores AquaVerify · Related sector: Distribuidores y partners

  • White label

    White label is a commercial model in which a product or solution is presented under the partner’s brand, with defined scope, documentation and responsibilities.

    Related AquaVerify product: OEM AquaVerify · Related sector: Partners internacionales

  • OEM

    OEM is a model in which a product, kit or solution is offered under adapted conditions for a partner, manufacturer, integrator or own-brand program.

    Related AquaVerify product: OEM AquaVerify · Related sector: Distribuidores, integradores y fabricantes

All categories

  • Adenovirus Adenovirus is an enteric virus that can persist under certain environmental conditions and is used in some contexts as a reference for evaluating viral persistence in water.
  • Viable bacteria Viable bacteria are microorganisms capable of remaining alive and, depending on conditions, growing or forming colonies detectable by culture methods.
  • Bacteriophage A bacteriophage is a virus that infects specific bacteria and replicates within them. In water quality, bacteriophages are used as viral models or indicators to study fecal contamination, treatment behaviour and microbiological barrier performance.
  • Biofilm A biofilm is a microbial community attached to a surface and protected by an extracellular matrix. In water networks it can act as a reservoir of microorganisms and contribute to recontamination.
  • Microbial load Microbial load is the level of microorganisms present in a sample or system. It can be expressed in different units depending on the method and organism evaluated.
  • Host strain A host strain is the bacterium used as the host to detect or enumerate bacteriophages in culture methods. Its selection is critical for assay sensitivity and result interpretation.
  • Total coliforms Total coliforms are a broad group of indicator bacteria that may occur in soil, water or fecal environments. They are used to assess system integrity, treatment effectiveness and possible operational issues.
  • F-RNA coliphages F-RNA coliphages are a subgroup of F-specific coliphages with an RNA genome. They can be used in fecal contamination and viral behaviour studies depending on method, matrix and program objective.
  • F-specific coliphages F-specific coliphages are bacteriophages that infect host bacteria through F pili. They are used in methodological and comparative contexts where viral behaviour, source or contamination pathways need to be assessed.
  • Somatic coliphages Somatic coliphages are bacteriophages that infect Escherichia coli and other enterobacteria through cell-wall receptors. They are used as operational viral indicators in water quality programs and treatment evaluation.
  • Fecal contamination Fecal contamination is the presence or evidence of human or animal fecal material in a water matrix. It is assessed through indicators such as E. coli, enterococci, coliforms and, in selected programs, coliphages.
  • Intestinal enterococci Intestinal enterococci are Gram-positive bacteria associated with the human and animal gastrointestinal tract. Their relative persistence makes them useful indicators in recreational waters, environmental waters and selected control plans.
  • Escherichia coli (E. coli) Escherichia coli is a thermotolerant coliform bacterium used worldwide as an indicator of recent fecal contamination. Its presence in drinking water generally requires investigation and corrective action under the applicable framework.
  • Legionella Legionella is a bacterial genus associated with risks in water installations that generate aerosols, such as domestic hot water, showers, spas, cooling towers or HVAC systems. Its control requires planning, sampling, laboratory analysis and documented actions.
  • Microbial Source Tracking (MST) Microbial Source Tracking groups approaches used to infer the likely source of microbial contamination, for example human, livestock, environmental or mixed sources.
  • Indicator microorganism An indicator microorganism is a microorganism whose presence or concentration is used to infer contamination, treatment effectiveness or deterioration of a water system.
  • Norovirus Norovirus is an enteric virus of high public-health relevance associated with gastrointestinal outbreaks. In water it is usually addressed through specific surveillance or indicators, not as a universal routine test.
  • Pathogen A pathogen is a microorganism capable of causing disease. In water, pathogen control is managed through barriers, indicators, specific surveillance and risk plans.
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterium relevant in selected water controls, especially where biofilm, recreational water, installations or sensitive products may be involved.
  • PFU / Plaque-forming units PFU means plaque-forming unit, a unit used to express infectious viral particles capable of producing lysis plaques in a plaque assay.
  • Enteric viruses Enteric viruses are viruses associated with the intestinal tract that can be transmitted through contaminated water. They include health-relevant groups such as norovirus, adenovirus or enterovirus, depending on the surveillance context.
  • Directiva (UE) 2020/2184 Directive (EU) 2020/2184 is the European framework for the quality of water intended for human consumption. It reinforces risk-based management and includes somatic coliphages in treatment evaluation when applicable.
  • EPA Method 1601 EPA Method 1601 is an EPA method for F+ and somatic coliphages using a two-step enrichment procedure, according to the method scope.
  • EPA Method 1602 EPA Method 1602 is an EPA method for F+ and somatic coliphages using a single agar layer procedure, according to the method scope.
  • HACCP HACCP is a preventive hazard analysis and critical control point system used in food safety. For process water, it helps define control points and evidence.
  • ISO 10705-1 ISO 10705-1 is part of the ISO 10705 series and focuses on methods for F-specific RNA coliphages, according to the applicable scope and version.
  • ISO 10705-2 ISO 10705-2 specifies a method for detecting and enumerating somatic coliphages by incubating the sample with a suitable host strain.
  • ISO 11731 ISO 11731 is an international standard for enumerating Legionella in water. It is relevant for control programs in facilities, domestic hot water, towers, spas and aerosol-risk systems.
  • ISO 19458 ISO 19458 is a reference standard for microbiological water sampling planning, sampling procedures, transport, handling and storage before analysis begins.
  • ISO 22000 ISO 22000 is an international standard for food safety management systems. It can relate to control of water used as an ingredient, process aid or cleaning medium.
  • ISO 5667-1 ISO 5667-1 is a general standard on designing water sampling programs and sampling techniques.
  • ISO 7899-2 ISO 7899-2 is a standard for detecting and enumerating intestinal enterococci in water by membrane filtration, according to the standard scope.
  • ISO 9308 ISO 9308 is a series of standards for detecting and enumerating Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria in water, using approaches such as membrane filtration or MPN depending on the applicable part.
  • ISO/IEC 17025 ISO/IEC 17025 is the standard for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. In water analysis it relates to valid results, traceability, document control, technical competence and the quality system.
  • Water safety plan A water safety plan is a documented plan that identifies risks, controls, sampling points, responsibilities, monitoring and corrective actions in a water system.
  • Royal Decree 3/2023 Royal Decree 3/2023 is the Spanish framework defining technical and sanitary criteria for drinking water quality, control and supply. It is key for operators, laboratories and water managers in Spain.
  • Royal Decree 487/2022 Royal Decree 487/2022 is the Spanish regulation on prevention and control of legionellosis in installations that can generate aerosol exposure.
  • Royal Decree 742/2013 Royal Decree 742/2013 is the Spanish technical-sanitary framework for swimming pools. It relates to quality control, operation, microbiological risks and documentation.
  • Regulation (EU) 2020/741 Regulation (EU) 2020/741 establishes minimum requirements for water reuse in the European Union, especially for agricultural irrigation.
  • Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) The Revised Total Coliform Rule is the US rule for total coliforms in drinking water. It should not be confused with coliphage methods, which answer a different technical question.
  • Water Safety Plan A Water Safety Plan is a preventive water-risk management approach covering the path from catchment to user, combining hazards, controls, monitoring and corrective actions.
  • Method blank A method blank is a control that accompanies the analytical process without the target sample to detect contamination introduced during preparation, reagents or handling.
  • Cold chain Cold chain is the controlled-temperature condition maintained during transport and storage of a sample or sensitive material.
  • Negative control A negative control is a material or condition that should not produce a signal and helps detect contamination, false positives or handling errors.
  • Positive control A positive control is a material or condition that should produce the expected response and confirms that the method can detect the target.
  • Double Agar Layer Double Agar Layer is a classic two-layer agar procedure used in bacteriophage assays, where an upper layer containing sample and host is poured over an agar base.
  • Enrichment Enrichment is an analytical step that promotes growth or multiplication of a target microorganism before detection.
  • Plaque assay A plaque assay is a culture method that quantifies bacteriophages through visible lysis plaques formed on a bacterial lawn.
  • Membrane filtration Membrane filtration is a technique in which a volume of water is filtered and the membrane is incubated on a medium to recover and count microorganisms.
  • Incubation Incubation is maintaining a sample or culture under controlled temperature and time to allow microbiological growth, reaction or reading.
  • Cell lysis Cell lysis is the rupture of a bacterial cell, for example after bacteriophage replication, releasing new viral particles and producing a visible lysis zone.
  • Limit of quantification (LOQ) The limit of quantification is the lowest concentration that can be quantified with acceptable performance under defined method conditions.
  • Limit of detection (LOD) The limit of detection is the lowest level of analyte or microorganism that a method can detect under defined conditions, without necessarily implying exact quantification.
  • Matrix A matrix is the type of sample or environment being analysed, such as drinking water, reclaimed water, pool water, wastewater, surface water, process water or irrigation water.
  • Composite sample A composite sample is formed by combining several subsamples taken at different points or times according to a defined plan.
  • Grab sample A grab sample is taken at a specific time and location. It represents the conditions of that instant and place.
  • Most Probable Number (MPN) Most Probable Number is a statistical method used to estimate microorganism concentration from presence/absence patterns in tubes or wells.
  • OOS / Out of specification An out-of-specification result is a result outside a defined limit, criterion or range. It requires review, investigation or action according to procedure.
  • Sampling point A sampling point is the physical location or source where a sample is taken. It should be linked to customer, matrix, analytical plan and traceability.
  • Recovery Recovery is the percentage or proportion of the target microorganism that the method can recover compared with a known or expected amount.
  • Repeatability Repeatability is the agreement between results obtained under similar conditions: same method, operator, equipment and laboratory over a short interval.
  • Reproducibility Reproducibility is the agreement between results obtained under changing conditions, such as different laboratories, operators or days.
  • Single Agar Layer (SAL) Single Agar Layer is a procedure used in some coliphage methods to mix sample, host and medium before incubation.
  • TTR / Time to result Time to result is the time elapsed from sampling or sample receipt to obtaining and communicating an actionable result.
  • 21 CFR Part 11 21 CFR Part 11 is the US framework for electronic records and electronic signatures in FDA-regulated contexts. Applicability depends on the environment and intended use.
  • ALCOA+ ALCOA+ is a set of data integrity principles: attributable, legible, contemporaneous, original, accurate and expanded criteria such as complete, consistent, enduring and available.
  • AquaLab AquaLab is the AquaVerify Cloud area focused on laboratory operation, LIMS, protocols, ELN, validations and R&D.
  • AquaVerify Cloud AquaVerify Cloud is AquaVerify’s digital platform connecting workflows such as CRM, LIMS, ELN, CoA, customer portal, inventory, logistics, finance, dashboards and AquaAI depending on configuration.
  • Audit trail An audit trail is a traceable history of events, changes, users, dates, decisions and signatures associated with a record.
  • Digital chain of custody A digital chain of custody is the electronic record documenting who collected, received, handled, analysed, reviewed and approved a sample or result.
  • CoA / Certificate of Analysis A certificate of analysis is a formal report summarizing the sample, context, results, units, method, review and delivery to the customer or auditor.
  • CRM A CRM manages customers, opportunities, contacts and commercial follow-up. In AquaVerify it can connect with products, samples, quotations and partner channels.
  • Dashboard LIMS A LIMS dashboard is an operational panel summarizing samples, worksheets, statuses, workload, pending tasks and quick access for the laboratory.
  • ELN An ELN is an electronic laboratory notebook used to document experiments, runs, evidence, materials, reviews and signatures.
  • Electronic signature An electronic signature is the digital confirmation of review, approval or closure of a record according to permissions and procedure.
  • GxP GxP refers to good-practice frameworks applicable in regulated environments, such as GMP, GLP or GDP, depending on the activity.
  • Worksheet A worksheet groups samples or results assigned to an analyst for execution, capture and review by work batch.
  • LIMS A LIMS is a laboratory information management system that organizes samples, results, worksheets, reports, users, statuses and traceability.
  • Customer portal A customer portal is an interface where customers or authorized users can view requests, samples, reports or published results.
  • SaaS SaaS is a cloud software model in which the application is hosted and updated centrally. In laboratories it supports secure access, scalability and deployment without local servers.
  • Sample Hub Sample Hub is a centralized sample view where context, results, status, labels, reports and actions can be consulted.
  • SLA An SLA is a time commitment or target for completing an action, report, review or service. In laboratories it may relate to TAT or TTR.
  • TAT / Turnaround Time Turnaround time is the cycle time from sample receipt or entry to delivery of the final report or result.
  • Tenant A tenant is the logical space of an organization inside a SaaS platform. It controls data, permissions, users and configuration.
  • Analytical traceability Analytical traceability is the ability to reconstruct the complete history of a sample, method, lot, operator, result, review and report.
  • WMS A WMS is a warehouse management system coordinating stock, locations, movements and logistics preparation. In AquaVerify it can connect to products, lots and orders.
  • Workflow owner A workflow owner is the user or role responsible for the next operational step within a workflow.
  • Kit expiry Kit expiry is an AquaVerify product, component or laboratory material used to support water microbiology workflows.
  • Internal quality control Internal quality control is the set of controls, reviews and records used by a laboratory to verify that a method or assay is working properly.
  • ENUMERA ENUMERA is the AquaVerify family oriented to quantitative results and microbiological enumeration of water according to the product, matrix and applicable workflow.
  • INDICA INDICA is the AquaVerify family oriented to presence/absence answers, screening and operational verification in water.
  • Rapid detection kit A rapid detection kit is a preformulated or simplified system designed to reduce handling, standardize steps and accelerate reading compared with traditional workflows, according to intended use.
  • Kits ISO/EPA ISO/EPA kits are AquaVerify kits and technical workflows oriented to ISO or EPA methods and references when the analytical plan requires them.
  • Lab Essentials Lab Essentials are prepared materials, media, controls, reagents and consumables that support microbiological execution in the laboratory.
  • Kit lot A kit lot is the manufacturing or supply identifier associated with a kit or component. It should be linked to results when it affects traceability, quality or validation.
  • Culture medium A culture medium is a nutritive or selective preparation that enables growth, detection or differentiation of microorganisms under defined conditions.
  • Reagent Reagent is an AquaVerify product, component or laboratory material used to support water microbiology workflows.
  • Smart Cap Smart Cap is an AquaVerify product, component or laboratory material used to support water microbiology workflows.
  • DHW / Domestic hot water Domestic hot water is a building or facility hot-water system. It can be relevant in Legionella prevention programs and aerosolization risk control.
  • Aerosolization Aerosolization is the formation or release of fine droplets that can carry microorganisms from water into air. It is relevant in showers, towers, spas and other installation-risk assessments.
  • Raw water Raw water is water captured before treatment. Monitoring it helps understand initial load, risk and the efficiency of downstream processes.
  • Drinking water Drinking water is water intended for human consumption and subject to sanitary criteria, control and supply requirements under the applicable framework.
  • Process water Process water is water used within an industrial or food operation as an ingredient, contact water, cleaning water, cooling water, recirculation water or process support.
  • Reclaimed water Reclaimed water is treated wastewater reused for authorized applications such as agricultural irrigation or other uses defined by regulation.
  • Wastewater Wastewater is water affected by domestic, industrial or process use before treatment or discharge. It can indicate microbial load, source pressure and treatment needs.
  • CIP CIP is cleaning in place of industrial lines, equipment or circuits without full disassembly. Rinse or process water may require microbiological control.
  • Chlorination Chlorination is a disinfection step that uses chlorine compounds to reduce microbial risk. Its effectiveness depends on dose, contact time, water quality and target organisms.
  • Hydroponics Hydroponics is crop production without soil, using nutrient solutions and recirculating water. Microbiological control helps protect crops, workers and process consistency.
  • Packhouse A packhouse is a post-harvest facility where produce is received, washed, handled, packed or stored. Water used there can become a critical quality-control point.
  • Terminal point A terminal point is the final outlet or point of use in a water system, such as a tap, shower, hose or process connection where exposure or sampling may occur.
  • Agricultural irrigation Agricultural irrigation is the application of water to crops through drip, sprinkler, surface or other systems. Its risk profile depends on crop, contact and water quality.
  • Turbidity Turbidity is the cloudiness of water caused by suspended particles. It can affect treatment performance, disinfection efficiency and interpretation of water-quality changes.
  • UV / Ultraviolet disinfection UV disinfection uses ultraviolet light to inactivate microorganisms. Performance depends on UV dose, water transmittance, lamp condition, hydraulics and target organism.
  • Approval Approval is the formal decision confirming that a record, result, worksheet, report or dossier meets criteria and can move forward.
  • CAPA CAPA means corrective and preventive action used to address a cause and prevent recurrence of a deviation or nonconformity.
  • Document control Document control manages versions, validity, distribution and review of documents such as SOPs, protocols, reports and dossiers.
  • Deviation A deviation is an incident or nonconformity against a plan, procedure, criterion or expectation. It should be documented, assessed and closed according to procedure.
  • Dossier A dossier is a documentation package summarizing critical information for review, approval, audit or transfer.
  • Validation dossier A validation dossier is a document package containing objective, method, plan, samples, results, deviations, approvals and validation conclusion.
  • Nonconformity A nonconformity is failure to meet a specified requirement, whether regulatory, procedural, contractual or quality-system related.
  • Technical review Technical review is the evaluation of results, evidence, controls and consistency before approval or report issuance.
  • SOP An SOP is a standard operating procedure that describes how to perform an activity in a controlled and repeatable way.
  • Tech Transfer Tech Transfer is the structured transfer of knowledge, process, method or product from R&D or validation to production, quality or operations.
  • Method validation Method validation is the formal process used to demonstrate that a method is suitable for its intended use under defined conditions.
  • Method verification Method verification confirms that a laboratory can properly perform an established method in its own environment, scope and matrices.
  • Co-branding Co-branding is a model in which AquaVerify and a partner share brand presence in product, documentation, training or campaigns.
  • Authorized distributor An authorized distributor is an approved commercial partner that sells AquaVerify products, provides local support, facilitates inventory and channels opportunities in its territory.
  • Private-label kit A private-label kit is a partner model where packaging, documentation or brand can be adapted according to agreement and intended use.
  • Lead routing Lead routing is the process of assigning commercial opportunities to the appropriate internal team, distributor, territory or partner.
  • White label White label is a commercial model in which a product or solution is presented under the partner’s brand, with defined scope, documentation and responsibilities.
  • OEM OEM is a model in which a product, kit or solution is offered under adapted conditions for a partner, manufacturer, integrator or own-brand program.
  • Technical onboarding Technical onboarding is the initial training process so a distributor or customer understands product, method, use, limits, support and documentation.
  • Commercial playbook A commercial playbook is an operational document that helps qualify opportunities, explain products, adapt messages by sector and define next steps.
  • Technical reseller A technical reseller is a partner combining sales with technical knowledge to recommend products, guide use and escalate complex cases.
  • Territory A territory is the geographic area or market assigned or evaluated for commercial activity, support, inventory or distribution.

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