title: A novel, optical, on-line bacteria sensor for monitoring drinking water quality.
abstract: Today, microbial drinking water quality is monitored through either time-consuming laboratory methods or indirect on-line measurements. Results are thus either delayed or insufficient to support proactive action. A novel, optical, on-line bacteria sensor with a 10-minute time resolution has been developed. The sensor is based on 3D image recognition, and the obtained pictures are analyzed with algorithms considering 59 quantified image parameters. The sensor counts individual suspended particles and classifies them as either bacteria or abiotic particles. The technology is capable of distinguishing and quantifying bacteria and particles in pure and mixed suspensions, and the quantification correlates with total bacterial counts. Several field applications have demonstrated that the technology can monitor changes in the concentration of bacteria, and is thus well suited for rapid detection of critical conditions such as pollution events in drinking water.
authors.affiliation: GRUNDFOS Holding A/S, Poul Due Jensens Vej 7, DK-8850 Bjerringbro, Denmark.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Højris
authors.affiliation: HOFOR A/S, Ørestads Boulevard 35, DK-2300 København S, Denmark.
authors.forename: Sarah Christine Boesgaard
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.affiliation: Technical University of Denmark, Department of Environmental Engineering, Miljøvej, Building 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
authors.forename: Hans-Jørgen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Albrechtsen
authors.affiliation: GRUNDFOS Holding A/S, Poul Due Jensens Vej 7, DK-8850 Bjerringbro, Denmark.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: GRUNDFOS Holding A/S, Poul Due Jensens Vej 7, DK-8850 Bjerringbro, Denmark.
authors.forename: Mathis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dahlqvist
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000382:microbiology*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D014871:Water Microbiology; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods; D060753:Water Quality / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water