Complete, self-contained water testing system IDEXX Tecta® provides rapid evidence of bacterial contamination by coliforms, E. coli, faecal coliforms, or Enterococci, outside of a traditional laboratory setting.
The system features the option to simultaneously run up to four or 16 analyses, providing fully automated incubation and test interpretation. Results are automatically sent by email, eliminating any testing delays caused by working around staff availability.
Water samples are added to the appropriate ‘Tectalert’ cartridge, which is then loaded into the Tecta instrument. The result is continuously monitored throughout the testing process and an email alert is generated when a positive result is detected, obviating the need for testing to be restricted by working around shift patterns. Positive results can be available in as little as two hours, subject to the level of contamination, with negative results confirmed in 18 or 24 hours, depending on test type.
The instrument has a very wide detection range from <1 to 108 colony forming units (CFUs) per 100 ml. Samples can be run undiluted and can originate from a variety of water matrices, including bio-solids. The detection method removes possible human discrepancies of result interpretation and is unaffected by the colour and turbidity of the sample.
The Tecta system allows sampling and testing to be carried out in a wide range of scenarios and locations where traditional testing methods could prove challenging, as the simplicity and flexibility of Tecta enables the “laboratory” to be taken to samples, rather than transporting samples for up to several hours in the case of remote areas. Its novel, fully automated method eliminates the need for staff to be present within the ‘read’ window for results, allowing samples to be tested at any time of day, and monitoring to be fully dynamic to respond to circumstances. Its wide detection range means samples that would usually require dilution, such as those with complex particulate loading or colour, can be run without any processing, accelerating the time to results.
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