Bioburden Water Testing: Ensuring Water Quality & Safety

Bioburden water testing determines the microbiological load in a water sample. This includes bacteria, other microorganisms and sometimes other organic material such as skin cells.

Reasons for Bioburden Water Testing

• Bioburden test results determine whether a water supply meets safety standards or whether water purifiers are working efficiently. Further tests are needed to evaluate the kinds of bacteria in the sample.

Procedure

• The most common way to determine the bacterial content of a water sample is to pass it through a filter. The filter is then placed on a nutrient medium such as agar. Sometimes a small amount of the test sample is directly transferred to the nutrient medium. After a set period the medium is analyzed.

Results

• The total quantity of microorganisms in a water source can be extrapolated from one or more samples. They determine whether any action or further tests are required.

Where to Get Bioburden Tests

• Basic bioburden water testing is not a complicated procedure and commercial water testing laboratories will carry out bioburden tests for a set fee. Science students often do such tests with college equipment as part of their coursework.