Veolia's environmental monitoring technology unit Endetec has announced that its TECTA automated microbiology system has received approval from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) for performing regulatory compliance testing for E. coli and total coliform bacteria in drinking water distribution system samples under the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) and other related regulations of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

David Dolphin, Managing Director of the sensor division of Endetec, said "US EPA approval represents the 'gold standard' of validation of the TECTA system, and we are extremely pleased to be able to offer the unique capabilities of the system to our customers as part of our Smart Water solution."

Consisting of the TECTA B16™ instrument and TECTA EC/TC™ single-use test cartridge, the complete system was subject to rigorous third-party testing under a US EPA-approved study plan prior to receiving approval under the Alternate Test Procedure (ATP). The approval action was published in the US Federal Register on June 19, 2014. Routine monitoring of samples taken throughout a drinking water distribution system for the presence of E. coli and total coliform bacteria is a key component of public health protection.

"The TECTA system combines proven microbiological indicators with state-of-the-art instrumentation to automate what has traditionally been a manual process of interpreting test results. US EPA approval means that we can offer drinking water system operators a new tool for microbial monitoring of distribution systems - further 'raising the bar' on public health protection", said Dr. Peter Gallant, Vice-President of Regulatory Affairs at Endetec.

Features and Benefits of the TECTA include:

Faster Results - by continuous monitoring test results can be 20 to 80 % faster than traditional methods.

On-Site Testing - the fully sutomated compact instrument allows testing to be performed close to sampling point eliminating cost and delays involved in sending samples to a centralised lab

Ease-of-Use - the TECTA pre-filled units do not require microbiological expertise to setup and read test results

High Reliability - no handling, dilution or mixing of reagents is needed, tests are based on well proven detection methods, resulting in industry-leading reliability and performance.

Low Cost per Test - low cost instrumentation together with elimination of sample transportation and handling reduces costs.