A Heriot-Watt University researcher has developed technology that could significantly improve the safety of public water supplies through the detection of waterborne pathogens, with plans to commercialise the product through a new spinout company already afoot.

Dr Hayder Al Mshelesh optimised the design and operation of monitoring systems that identify harmful organisms, doubling the success rate to over 70%, compared to the existing industry standard of around 30%.

The improved testing procedures will reduce the likelihood and severity of health incidents from water-borne illness, preventing the spread of disease as well as economic losses.

“Our system has achieved a very significant improvement in detection rates of harmful bugs in the water so this technology will prevent illness and economic losses much more effectively in future,” said Professor Helen Bridle, who was as Dr Al Mshelesh’s PhD supervisor while he worked on the project.

After the outbreak of Cryptosporidium, a water parasite, in Devon this year, it has become clear the level of disruption and serious illness that can result from contaminated water supplies.

That incident led to more than a hundred confirmed cases, thousands of properties issued with boil water notices, the cleaning of reservoirs, and cost Pennon, the owner of the water company, more than £16 million in customer compensation. 

“People across the UK are very concerned about potential contamination in public water systems: incidents like the one in Devon show just how serious an impact they can have on people’s lives and livelihoods,” added Bridle.    

While monitoring for these types of pathogens by water companies is routine, the Heriot-Watt researcher took a different approach, allowing them to achieve better performance, claiming a 133% improvement compared to the existing solution.

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The new tech is currently undergoing a second round of performance testing at a major UK water company, with the aim being to set up a spin-out company – Aquazoa – to take the system to market, with commercialisation of the product expected in early 2026.

Earlier this year, Aquazoa was included in the semi-finals of Converge 2024, Scotland’s largest company creation programme for the university sector, and according to Heriot-Watt, the spinout has already secured High Growth Spinout Funding from Scottish Enterprise, joining five other active Scottish Enterprise backed projects from the university.