How It Works

Real-Time Online Monitoring of Microbiological Water Quality

ColiMinder® measures the specific enzymatic activity of target organisms present in the sample — fully automated, in 15 minutes, without any sample pre-treatment.

How does it work?

ColiMinder uses an automated enzymatic measurement approach to assess microbiological water quality. Instead of relying on bacterial growth (as in traditional cultivation methods), the system measures specific enzymatic activity of target organisms. This provides a direct and timely indication of microbial contamination levels and a direct answer on the question “how high is the microbial contamination of the sample?”.

What this means in practice

  • No waiting for lab results
  • Full automation — no manual handling and thus reduced human errors
  • Direct, quantitative measurement of microbial contamination
  • Reliable, reproducible and consistent results

The Measurement Principle

Four fully automated steps — from water sample to digital result in 15 minutes.

01

Automated Sampling

Automated Sampling

Sample & Reagent Processing

02

Enzymatic Reaction

Enzymatic Reaction

Fluorophore Product Released

03

Optical Measurement

Optical Measurement

Change of Fluorescence over Time

04

Results in 15 Minutes

Results in 15 Minutes

Real-Time Data Output

Key Technical Features

Fully Automatic

Sampling, measurement, cleaning, and calibration run without any operator intervention. Less than 1 hour of maintenance per year.

15-Minute Results

Up to 56 measurements per day (up to 80 in high-frequency mode). Lab methods require 1–5 days.

Auto-Recalibration

The system calibrates itself automatically, ensuring measurement accuracy over time without manual intervention.

No Sample Pre-Treatment

Works directly with raw water samples. No filtration, dilution, or chemical preparation required — even with turbid or particle-loaded samples.

Online & Remote Control

Live data visualization, remote configuration, and automatic alarm notifications via e-mail and SMS. Modbus TCP, RS232/485, and 4–20 mA outputs available.

Validation Protocols

Protocols for internal validation are available.

Built for Demanding Environments

ColiMinder is field-proven in more than 100 installations across all climatic zones — from tropical heat to arctic cold, from inner-city treatment plants to remote mountain springs.

  • IP65 protection class — dust-tight and jet-water resistant
  • Powder-coated aluminium housing for corrosion resistance
  • Operated during Typhoon Mangkhut in Hong Kong (Signal 10)
  • Deployed in extreme heat environments including Nigeria and the UAE
  • Install indoors or in an enclosure — protected from direct sunlight and rain
  • Available on 12 V DC for solar / battery / vehicle operation (CMI-02-E/M)
200+
Installations worldwide
10+
Years in the field
5
Continents covered
100%
no false positives

Scientifically Validated

ColiMinder’s measurement principle is backed by peer-reviewed publications in leading journals including Water Research and Hydrogeology Journal.

View Scientific Publications

Ready to see ColiMinder at your site?

Explore the available device versions and add-on modules, or get in touch with our team.