本文介绍了一项研究的结果，旨在评估病原体替代物作为治疗优化工具的使用，并预测病原体的发生。其中，贾第虫与12种肠道病原体和12种可能的隐孢子虫替代物有关。由于分析限制和病原体发生率较低，未确定预测原生动物病原体发生或治疗效果的“理想”替代物。然而，得出的结论是，好氧孢子和颗粒计数可作为评估或改善处理厂性能的替代措施。 公用事业公司应选择多个替代物，而不是一个来评估原水质量和处理厂的性能。包括28个参考文献、表格和图表。

This article presents the results of a study designed to evaluate the use of pathogen surrogates as a tool in treatment optimization and to predict pathogen occurrence. A comprehensive matrix was developed to relate water quality and process variables for 24 potable water sources and 12 possible surrogates to the target pathogens of Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and enteric viruses. No "ideal" surrogate for predicting occurrence of protozoan pathogens or treatment performance was identified because of analytical constraints and low pathogen occurrence. However, it was concluded that aerobic spores and particle counts could be used as surrogate measures to evaluate or improve treatment plant performance. Utilities should select not one but a number of surrogates to assess raw water quality and treatment plant performance. Includes 28 references, tables, figures.