Nalco Water Receives Edison Award for Molecular Legionella Test that is

14-Times Faster than Current Method

On April 4, the Edison Awards, a leading global program to honor innovation, presented Nalco Water, an Ecolab company, with an Edison Award in the Lab Advancements category for its molecular-based test for Legionella that provides results 14-times faster than current culture testing methods. 

Traditional microbiological culture methods to detect Legionella take 14 days to complete. The Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) DNA-based method (ISO12869) detects Legionella within one day, enabling faster validation of water safety protocols and response to protect public health. The test is part of the water safety analytical services platform Nalco Water provides through its industry-leading Legionella Risk Management Program.

“After 32 years, it never ceases to amaze us how innovations that we could only dream about become our reality. Once again, the winners created innovations that are revolutionizing industries and becoming indispensable.” said Frank Bonafilia, executive director of the Edison Awards, which are named after Thomas Alva Edison, whose innovative achievements led to 1,093 U.S. patents.

The ballot of nominees for the Edison Awards was judged by a panel of more than 3,000 leading business executives including past award winners, academics and leaders in the fields of product development, design, engineering, science and medical.

Nalco Water’s Legionella testing capabilities are included as part of an effective risk management strategy and align with the company’s holistic approach to reduce Legionella risk as part of an effective water management program. Nalco Water has helped develop and implement more than 15,000 water management programs for customers.

Click here for more information on the qPCR testing protocol.  

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