University spinout to launch water quality app for UK and US waters
Summary
A UK company called Molendotech, spun out from the University of Plymouth, has created a handheld test kit that quickly detects harmful bacteria like E. coli in water, giving results in about 15 minutes. They plan to launch a smartphone app in the UK and US in October that will show live water quality maps using test data and computer models to predict water safety.Key Facts
- Molendotech’s test kit, Bactiquick, detects harmful gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli, Pseudomonas, Legionella, and salmonella.
- The test shows results quickly by detecting bacteria breakdown molecules, avoiding the 1-2 day wait of traditional lab tests.
- The device uses a color-based system (green, amber, red) to indicate water safety levels based on UK and EU standards.
- The handheld test costs £300, and each water test sample costs about £25.
- Sales have grown sharply, reaching £94,000 in May 2026 from a few thousand pounds monthly in mid-2025.
- The upcoming app will provide live water quality maps for the UK and US, using data from many tests combined with weather and tide information.
- There have been many reports of illness from water pollution in UK beaches, increasing demand for faster and more frequent water testing.
- Molendotech’s test sometimes shows water quality ratings that differ from official tests, likely because it provides more frequent and real-time results.
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