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AWWA QTC97119
- Laser Scanning Device for Detecting Cryptosporidium
- Conference Proceeding by American Water Works Association, 01/01/1997
- Publisher: AWWA
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A major difficulty associated with the assay of water samples for Cryptosporidium and Giardia is the presence of interfering particulate matter. Treatments are available for some of these materials but clay and other minerals remain a problem. This problem became acute during work on a pilot-scale, slow sand filtration plant which was being tested for its ability to remove Cryptosporidium oocysts from water. The plant was supplied with water seeded with oocysts and samples were taken both before and after treatment to determine the numbers present. Unfortunately, the raw water contained a small quantity of colloidal clay which led to the failure of the assay method employed. This paper presents the results of investigations undertaken to find a more suitable means of assay. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting, immunomagnetic separation and filter/laserscanning were used to identify oocysts.