ISO 10705-3-2003 PDF

Full title and description

Water quality — Detection and enumeration of bacteriophages — Part 3: Validation of methods for concentration of bacteriophages from water (ISO 10705-3:2003). This standard sets out principles for assessing and validating methods used to concentrate bacteriophages from water samples prior to detection and enumeration.

Abstract

ISO 10705-3:2003 specifies general principles for assessing the performance of methods for concentrating bacteriophages from water. It recommends concentration when samples are expected to contain fewer than 3 plaque‑forming particles (pfp) per millilitre, outlines performance characteristics and evaluation procedures rather than prescribing specific concentration techniques, and includes an annex with example methods and fields of application.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: 16 October 2003
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 07.100.20 (Water microbiology)
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2003)
• Number of pages: 13

Scope

The standard applies to validation and performance assessment of methods that concentrate bacteriophages from a variety of water types (e.g., surface water, groundwater, wastewater, drinking water) provided the suspended solids and dissolved matter do not unduly interfere with the concentration procedure. It does not prescribe a single concentration method; instead it defines how to demonstrate that a chosen method is fit for purpose for a given water matrix and sample volume. Annex A provides examples of concentration approaches that have been used satisfactorily and indications of their typical application areas.

Key topics and requirements

• Principles for designing validation experiments for concentration methods (recovery, reproducibility, limits of detection).
• Recommended use of concentration for samples expected to contain < 3 pfp per millilitre.
• Evaluation of method suitability with respect to suspended solids and dissolved-matter interference.
• Performance metrics: recovery efficiency, precision, bias, limit of detection/quantification after concentration.
• Guidance on selecting sample volumes and concentration factors appropriate to target detection limits.
• Reporting requirements and documentation to demonstrate method fitness for specific water types.
• Examples of concentration methods and their fields of application (informative Annex A).

Typical use and users

Used by environmental and public‑health laboratories, water utilities, regulatory agencies, method developers and researchers involved in monitoring viral indicators or validating laboratory methods for bacteriophage recovery from environmental and drinking waters. The standard supports method selection, method development, interlaboratory comparison design and regulatory method validation activities.

Related standards

Part of the ISO 10705 series on bacteriophages: ISO 10705-1 (enumeration of F‑specific RNA bacteriophages), ISO 10705-2 (enumeration of somatic coliphages), ISO 10705-4 (enumeration of bacteriophages infecting Bacteroides fragilis). National or regional adoptions/revisions (for example EN/DIN adoptions) may exist for the part or the series.

Keywords

bacteriophage, bacteriophages, water quality, concentration methods, validation, recovery efficiency, plaque‑forming particles, pfp, environmental microbiology, method performance

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 10705-3:2003 is an international standard that provides principles and guidance for validating methods used to concentrate bacteriophages from water prior to detection and enumeration.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers validation design, key performance characteristics (recovery, precision, detection limits), considerations about interfering matter in samples, selection of sample volumes and concentration factors, and gives examples of methods in an informative annex. It does not prescribe a single concentration technique but explains how to demonstrate fitness for purpose.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Environmental and public‑health testing laboratories, water utilities, regulators, researchers and method developers who need to validate or compare bacteriophage concentration methods for water monitoring and research.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 10705-3 was originally published in October 2003. In 2024 there are records of a revised/adopted version under EN/DIN designations (EN ISO 10705-3:2024 / DIN EN ISO 10705-3:2024) and national catalogues listing updated adoptions, indicating that users should check with ISO or their national standards body for the most current, formally adopted version and its legal/national status.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 3 of the ISO 10705 series (detection and enumeration of bacteriophages); other parts address specific host groups or enumeration methods (Parts 1, 2 and 4).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Bacteriophage, concentration, validation, recovery, plaque‑forming particles (pfp), water quality, method performance, environmental microbiology.