Quick online detection of enterococci with the BACTcontrol sensor

The overall objective of this study was to further develop the enterococci assay on the BACTcontrol and evaluate the applicability for analysis of drinking water and surface water (bathing water, drinking water intake) in a laboratory and on-site setting. The study first optimized the enterococci assay on the BACTcontrol (laboratory studies at KWR and HWL) to improve the detection limit and the reproducibility of the relation between the BACTcontrol signal and culturable enterococci concentrations in water samples. Subsequently, the BACTcontrol enterococci assay was applied in drinking water settings (Vitens Laboratory and HWL) and two recreational water settings (Hoogheemraadschap van Delfland).