Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the efficiency of phages in combination with physical water treatment process to ensure optimal disinfection without subsequence water recontamination. The use of phages’ cocktail was used instead of chemical reagents to overcome the non remanent effects of ultraviolet (UV) disinfection procedure and to enhance the worth of this clean and safe technology. This combination proved to be advantageous. Indeed, the lysis activity of phage combined with germicidal effects of ultraviolet (UVC) irradiation provides a decrease of viable bacterial density. Furthermore, the use of virulent virions can reduce the subsequent reactivation of UVC treated bacteria without addition of chemical reagents that can have a potential risk to public health.

Key words: UV radiation, water treatment, reactivation, remanent effects.