University spinout to launch water quality app for UK and US waters

A UK-based university spinout, Molendotech, is set to launch a water quality mapping application in both the United Kingdom and the United States later this year. The initiative aims to provide real-time insights into water safety, particularly in coastal areas frequented by swimmers, following reports of illnesses linked to contaminated water. The technology, developed by researchers at the University of Plymouth, offers a portable method for detecting harmful bacteria such as E coli and Salmonella, delivering immediate results instead of relying on traditional laboratory analysis that can take several days. Molendotech's innovation, known as Bactiquick, employs a handheld device that identifies harmful gram-negative bacteria through a color-changing reaction, which is then translated into electrical signals and a numerical readout via a smartphone app. The app features a traffic-light system, green for safe conditions, amber for caution, and red for high risk, based on water quality thresholds set by the UK and EU standards. The device was introduced in May 2025 and has already demonstrated significant market growth, with sales revenue rising from a few thousand pounds per month to nearly £94,000 in May, representing a more than 30-fold increase over the previous year. Professor Simon Jackson, who serves as the chief scientific officer of Molendotech and holds the title of professor of environment and human health at the University of Plymouth, explained that the need for faster, more accessible water testing arose from personal experience. He noted that his stepdaughter suffered from conjunctivitis and a throat infection after swimming in the sea, prompting him and his team to develop the initial prototype of the test in 2018. The device allows users to conduct multiple tests on the same day, yielding results within minutes, unlike conventional methods that require sending samples to laboratories and waiting up to two days for results. The company's approach differs significantly from standard practices, which involve culturing bacteria in labs to determine their presence and quantity. Instead, Bactiquick detects endotoxins released when bacteria decompose, offering quicker and more frequent assessments. This capability has proven valuable in identifying discrepancies between official ratings and actual water conditions. For example, during a test at Saltdean beach in Sussex, the device flagged the area as high risk while the Environment Agency had previously rated it as excellent. Conversely, there were instances where the device indicated safe conditions despite official ratings of poor quality, highlighting the limitations of current testing protocols that often occur only once a week. Jackson, an expert in inflammatory diseases and a researcher specializing in bacteria associated with sepsis, emphasized the growing concern around climate change and its impact on waterborne pathogens. As European waters warm, he pointed out, new species of bacteria such as Vibrio are becoming increasingly prevalent in the UK. This trend underscores the importance of advanced monitoring tools to safeguard public health, especially as recreational activities in affected areas continue to rise. Health officials in Louisiana recently issued advisories to beachgoers, reflecting broader concerns about water quality and the potential risks posed by contaminants. With the launch of the water quality mapping app scheduled for October, Molendotech aims to enhance transparency and empower communities to make informed decisions regarding water usage. The app will integrate data collected from daily tests with environmental factors such as rainfall and tidal patterns, utilizing artificial intelligence to generate predictive models that could further improve water management strategies.