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

Food water and environment contaminations are deep concerns for growers the public andgovernment. Bacterial content of surface water can be subject to rapid changes following heavyrainfall or from localized contamination sources. A recent E.coli Romaine lettuce outbreak whichwas linked to contaminated irrigation canal water has resulted in five deaths and close to a hundredhospitalizations thus providing a painful reminder about the importance of controlling Ag waterquality. Laboratories equipped to perform microbiological analyses are often not located in theproximity of farms drastically complicating the logistics of sample collection and transport andincreasing associated costs. There is a manifest need for simple monitoring tools for on-siteirrigation water quality assessment monitoring to ensure its safety for agricultural use.To address this need ALERT-Ag++ focuses on the development of an on-farm E.coli detectionsystem allowing rapid remote high frequency monitoring and reporting of bacterial levels in asimple-to-use and affordable package. During Phase I a product concept for agricultural waterquality monitoring will be manufactured and will be field-tested by select growers and waterquality experts. The prototype will implement the use of disposable measurement cartridges tosimplify field maintenance. The user interface will also be adapted for agricultural applicationswith a simple data reporting and archival module designed to respond to growers' operational andregulatory reporting requirements. The project will further engage in side-by-side laboratoryevaluation against approved methods in preparation of the regulatory approval process.