Veolia Receives EPA Approval of Automated Microbiology System

Veolia’s environmental monitoring technology unit Endetec announced that its TECTA automated microbiology system has received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for performing regulatory compliance testing for E. coli and total coliform bacteria in drinking water distribution system samples under the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) and other related regulations of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Consisting of the TECTA B16 instrument and TECTA EC/TC single-use test cartridge, the complete system was subject to rigorous third-party testing under an EPA-approved study plan prior to receiving approval under the Alternate Test Procedure (ATP). The approval action was published in the U.S. Federal Register on June 19, 2014. Routine monitoring of samples taken throughout a drinking water distribution system for the presence of E. coli and total coliform bacteria is a key component of public health protection.

“The TECTA system combines proven microbiological indicators with state-of-the-art instrumentation to automate what has traditionally been a manual process of interpreting test results. EPA approval means that we can offer drinking water system operators a new tool for microbial monitoring of distribution systems — further ‘raising the bar’ on public health protection,” said Dr. Peter Gallant, vice-president of regulatory affairs at Endetec.