ALERT-Ag++: An on-farm E. Coli analyzer for agricultural water quality monitoring

Ag water is recognized by growers and regulators as a potential conduit for microbiologicalcontamination of produce in pre- and post-harvesting operations in view of the produce safetyregulations contained within the FSMA. There is a very strong need in the grower community foron-farm technologies allowing rapid remote accurate monitoring and reporting of E. coli levels ina simple-to-use and affordable package. The ALERT-Ag++ Phase II project will respond to thisneed by building on Phase I results where initial prototypes were tested and evaluated by a varietyof users ranging from individual growers to water quality specialists produce associationsregulators utilities and municipalities. The feedback received from such a wide variety of users willbe swiftly integrated into the ergonomics of the final product for the Ag market to ensure itproperly responds to all the intended uses.Alert-Ag++ targets the development of an rapid automated on-farm pathogen detection system foragricultural (Ag) water quality monitoring more specifically for automatically quantitating fecalindicator bacteria (E.coli) and alerting on the presence of key pathogenic serotypes. The concept ofthe field analyzer integrating a disposable cartridge concept for E.coli analysis successfully beta- tested during Phase I will be expanded to allow automatic measurements not only of the planktonicbacterial fraction but also of the particle-attached fraction. The project will include expanded side- by-side laboratory testing against the currently-approved methods and the development andimplementation of a strategy for obtaining regulatory approval at the local regional and nationallevels.