Author(s): Wolfgang Vogl; Kinga Batta; Stefan Etzl
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Utomated water quality monitoring; Enzymatic measurement; Microbial contamination detection; Real- time water testing; E. coli and fecal indicators
Abstract: This paper presents a novel enzymatic approach for the automatic and real-time measurement of microbial water quality, addressing the need for rapid and reliable testing beyond traditional manual laboratory methods. By targeting bacterial contamination indicators such as E. coli, Enterococci, Coliform, and total microbiological activity, this method provides direct measurements within 15 minutes, a significant improvement over the longer incubation periods required by culture-based methods. Extensive field testing demonstrates the method’s efficiency, reliability, and strong correlation with waterborne pathogens. The technique’s versatility across different water types, including drinking water and wastewater, underscores its potential impact on water quality management practices. This enzymatic measurement approach offers a faster, automated, and reliable alternative to conventional methods, enhancing water resource monitoring and management to ensure safer water through the rapid detection of microbial contaminants.
Year: 2024