Summary of CEAEQ Validation of the TECTA EC/TC System for Monitoring Water Quality

• Technology Type: Advanced System for Coliform and E.coli Detection
• Application: Analysis of Coliforms and E.coli in Remote Site Waters
• Technology Name: TECTA B16
• Company: Pathogen Detection Systems, Inc.
• Address: 382 King St. East, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7K 2Y2
• Web Site: www.tecta-pds.com

Verification Test Description
The use of the TECTA EC/TC method in an accredited laboratory has been validated by numerous third parties such as the US EPA and AOAC. However, given the ease of use of the TECTA method and its automated detection and reporting of faecal contamination indicators, some remote sites have expressed a great interest for the TECTA B16 system to be approved for use on site. Indeed, climate conditions in these remote places can complicate the transport of samples to accredited laboratories and undermine the preservation conditions of the samples during the transport.

In this context, la Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (SÉPAQ) contacted the Ministère du Développement Durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les Changements Climatiques (MDDELCC) to pilot a validation of the TECTA EC/TC method for use in remote sites. The MDDELCC mandated the Centre d’Expertise en Analyse Environnementale du Québec (CEAEQ) to verify whether the TECTA method could satisfy the minimum requirements imposed on analysis methods outlined in section 4 of the guidelines for accredited laboratories in Québec (CEAEQ. 2014. DR-12-SCA-02).

In collaboration with several partners (SÉPAQ, DEM, municipality of the ile-d`Anticosti, Canada Research Chair in drinking water of the University Laval and Endetec-Veolia), the CEAEQ developed a validation study to ensure that the TECTA method for E.coli and Total Coliform using presence/absence mode matched the performance of the standard methods used in Québec. This study also compared use of the TECTA B16 system in a remote `on-site lab` operated by local staff versus results of the system operated in an accredited lab with certified laboratory technicians.