Glossary terms that help connect the sector workflow with sampling, microbiology, traceability and reporting.
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An indicator microorganism is a microorganism whose presence or concentration is used to infer contamination, treatment effectiveness or deterioration of a water system.
Sector relevance: Useful for selecting the right method, product family, sampling point, report or traceability workflow in water quality programs.
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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.
Sector relevance: Useful for selecting the right method, product family, sampling point, report or traceability workflow in water quality programs.
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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.
Sector relevance: Useful for selecting the right method, product family, sampling point, report or traceability workflow in water quality programs.
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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.
Sector relevance: Useful for selecting the right method, product family, sampling point, report or traceability workflow in water quality programs.
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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.
Sector relevance: Useful for selecting the right method, product family, sampling point, report or traceability workflow in water quality programs.
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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.
Sector relevance: Useful for selecting the right method, product family, sampling point, report or traceability workflow in water quality programs.
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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.
Sector relevance: Useful for selecting the right method, product family, sampling point, report or traceability workflow in water quality programs.
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A deviation is an incident or nonconformity against a plan, procedure, criterion or expectation. It should be documented, assessed and closed according to procedure.
Sector relevance: Useful for selecting the right method, product family, sampling point, report or traceability workflow in water quality programs.
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A water safety plan is a documented plan that identifies risks, controls, sampling points, responsibilities, monitoring and corrective actions in a water system.
Sector relevance: Useful for selecting the right method, product family, sampling point, report or traceability workflow in water quality programs.
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Analytical traceability is the ability to reconstruct the complete history of a sample, method, lot, operator, result, review and report.
Sector relevance: Useful for selecting the right method, product family, sampling point, report or traceability workflow in water quality programs.