Abstract
Low-cost, field-deployable, near-time methods for assessing water quality are not available when and where waterborne infection risks are greatest. We describe the development and testing of a novel device for the measurement of tryptophan-like fluorescence (TLF), making use of recent advances in deep-ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) and sensitive semiconductor photodiodes and photomultipliers. TLF is an emerging indicator of water quality that is associated with members of the coliform group of bacteria and therefore potential fecal contamination. Following the demonstration of close correlation between TLF and E. coli in model waters and proof of principle with sensitivity of 4 CFU/mL for E. coli, we further developed a two-LED flow-through configuration capable of detecting TLF levels corresponding to “high risk” fecal contamination levels (>10 CFU/100 mL). Findings to date suggest that this device represents a scalable solution for remote monitoring of drinking water supplies to identify high-risk drinking water in near-time. Such information can be immediately actionable to reduce risks.
Highlights
Equitable access to reliable, affordable, and safe drinking water is essential to human health and livelihood
While the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality have been adopted by most water service providers globally, microbial water quality testing needed to analyze the fecal contamination risk is conducted infrequently [3]
We first demonstrated a detectable correlation between tryptophan-like fluorescence (TLF) and E. coli using novel components, replicating results from traditional bench-top fluorimetry methods
Summary
Affordable, and safe drinking water is essential to human health and livelihood. Drinking water containing fecal contamination is a leading cause of preventable diseases and higher mortality, through diarrheal infections, which overwhelmingly affect children under five in low- and middle-income countries [2]. While the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality have been adopted by most water service providers globally, microbial water quality testing needed to analyze the fecal contamination risk is conducted infrequently [3]. This is because testing routines are time-consuming, expensive, require trained personnel and consumables, and compete for resources
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