A filter plate article for testing the presence of microorganisms in an aqueous sample comprising: a base member comprising a self-supporting water impervious substrate with first and second generally opposed major surfaces; a filter assembly defining a filter assembly aperture therein, and having a composite filter body mounted across the filter assembly aperture; wherein the composite filter body comprises: - a microporous membrane having pores with a nominal range of 0.05 μm to 1.2 μm, measured according to the description, and - a water-absorbent layer; and a cover sheet; wherein the filter assembly is positioned between the cover sheet and the base member; wherein the filter assembly is attached to the base member, and wherein the cover sheet is attached directly or indirectly to the base member; and wherein the cover sheet or the base member comprises a dry coating that includes a water-soluble gelling agent, characterized in that the water-absorbent layer is in fluid communication with the microporous membrane and the water-absorbent layer is positioned between the microporous membrane and the base member, the water-absorbent layer absorbs a weight of water that is at least 0.5 times the weight of the water-absorbent layer prior to absorbing water and wherein the water-absorbent layer comprises a fibrous substrate that is functionalized with a grafted hydrogel polymer, and the grafted hydrogel polymer includes grafting monomer units grafted to the surface of the fibrous substrate and wherein the grafting monomer units are selected from the group consisting of ionic grafting monomer units, non-ionic hydrophilic grafting monomer units, and mixtures thereof. a base member comprising a self-supporting water impervious substrate with first and second generally opposed major surfaces; a filter assembly defining a filter assembly aperture therein, and having a composite filter body mounted across the filter assembly aperture; wherein the composite filter body comprises: - a microporous membrane having pores with a nominal range of 0.05 μm to 1.2 μm, measured according to the description, and - a water-absorbent layer; and - a microporous membrane having pores with a nominal range of 0.05 μm to 1.2 μm, measured according to the description, and - a water-absorbent layer; and a cover sheet; wherein the filter assembly is positioned between the cover sheet and the base member; wherein the filter assembly is attached to the base member, and wherein the cover sheet is attached directly or indirectly to the base member; and wherein the cover sheet or the base member comprises a dry coating that includes a water-soluble gelling agent, characterized in that the water-absorbent layer is in fluid communication with the microporous membrane and the water-absorbent layer is positioned between the microporous membrane and the base member, the water-absorbent layer absorbs a weight of water that is at least 0.5 times the weight of the water-absorbent layer prior to absorbing water and wherein the water-absorbent layer comprises a fibrous substrate that is functionalized with a grafted hydrogel polymer, and the grafted hydrogel polymer includes grafting monomer units grafted to the surface of the fibrous substrate and wherein the grafting monomer units are selected from the group consisting of ionic grafting monomer units, non-ionic hydrophilic grafting monomer units, and mixtures thereof. the water-absorbent layer is in fluid communication with the microporous membrane and the water-absorbent layer is positioned between the microporous membrane and the base member, the water-absorbent layer absorbs a weight of water that is at least 0.5 times the weight of the water-absorbent layer prior to absorbing water and wherein the water-absorbent layer comprises a fibrous substrate that is functionalized with a grafted hydrogel polymer, and the grafted hydrogel polymer includes grafting monomer units grafted to the surface of the fibrous substrate and wherein the grafting monomer units are selected from the group consisting of ionic grafting monomer units, non-ionic hydrophilic grafting monomer units, and mixtures thereof.