A Swiss Solution Speeds Up Water Testing in Australia

Swiss-Australian tech partnership brings 20-minute bacteria detection to water utilities across Australia

24 Jun 2025

Water utilities in Australia are turning to faster tools to keep up with rising demand and aging infrastructure. A new partnership between Swiss firm bNovate Technologies and Australian distributor ProDetec promises a quicker fix: a device that detects bacterial contamination in just 20 minutes.

The technology, called BactoSense, replaces a system long reliant on manual sampling and lab results that can take days. Instead, this compact, automated sensor delivers real-time bacterial readings. It allows operators to respond to contamination swiftly, potentially preventing minor breaches from becoming major crises.

The stakes are rising. Drought, population growth and mounting public scrutiny have placed utilities under strain. A failure in water quality now risks not only public health but also reputational damage and regulatory backlash. Real-time monitoring offers one way to stay ahead.

“This partnership will help water utilities across Australia and New Zealand modernize their infrastructure and adopt real-time water quality monitoring,” said Serge Gander, CEO of bNovate. His colleague Julian Lowe, head of global sales, noted that the technology provides “cost-effective and autonomous bacteria monitoring, eliminating the need for traditional lab testing.”

The technology also hints at broader change. Systems like BactoSense may pave the way for more AI-driven infrastructure, where smart sensors inform predictive maintenance and reduce service interruptions. For now, the challenge is integration, as many utilities still rely on legacy systems that are difficult to upgrade quickly.

Even so, the trend is clear. As more providers adopt real-time microbial detection, others may be forced to follow suit. In water management, where delays can be costly, the ability to act within minutes rather than days could set the new standard.

A quicker test will not solve every problem in Australia’s water supply. But it may make them easier to see coming.