Somatic coliphages were enumerated seasonally in addition to the traditional bacterial indicators total coliforms, faecal coliforms and faecal streptococci at different source points at Kaiet Bay wastewater treatment station in Alexandria. There was a highly significant correlation between counts of somatic coliphages, total coliforms and faecal coliforms but not faecal streptococci in all samples tested. Significant reduction in counts was shown in pipe outfall water samples; this is hypothesized to be due to dilution. Coliphages persisted in all seawater samples collected. Different hydrochemical parameters of the water samples were measured which showed variable correlation with coliphage counts. Biochemical oxygen demand, ammonium, total nitrogen, reactive phosphorus and total phosphorus showed highly significant direct correlation with somatic coliphages counts for all water source points in all seasons tested. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to rank various parameters based on their effect on counts of somatic coliphages.

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