A Real-Time Early Warning System For Pathogens In Water

The events of September 11, 2001 represented an escalation in the means and effects of terrorist attacks and raised awareness of the vulnerability of major infrastructures such as transportation, finance, power and energy, communications, food, and water. A re-examination of the security of critical assets was initiated. Actions were taken in the United States to protect our drinking water. Anti-terrorism monitoring systems that allow us to take action before contaminated water can reach the consumer have been under development since then. This presentation will discuss the current performance of a laser-based, multi-angle light scattering (MALS) technology for continuous, real-time detection and classification of microorganisms for security applications in all drinking and process water applications inclusive of protection of major assets, potable and distributed water. Field test data for a number of waterborne pathogens will also be presented.