Comparison of fecal indicators with pathogenic bacteria and rotavirus in groundwater

► Rotavirus, pathogenic E. coli, Shigella, and Vibrio were detected in rural Bangladesh groundwater. ► FIB (culturable E. coli) correlated and exhibited no false negatives towards only pathogenic E. coli. ► Annually averaged monthly measurements of culturable E. coli improved prediction for total bacterial pathogens. ► qPCR-based E. coli was the best indicator of bacterial pathogens. ► F+RNA coliphage were not a good indicator of rotavirus.