New 15-minute water testing device to be showcased in Newquay

A pioneering handheld device that can test water quality in just 15 minutes will be demonstrated at a special event in Newquay.

Bactiquick has been developed to give rapid, on-site readings of bacterial contamination in rivers, lakes and coastal waters, a process that traditionally takes between 24 and 48 hours.

Supporters of the technology say the long delay in current testing methods means conditions can change significantly before results are available, potentially leaving swimmers, surfers and other water users exposed.

Founder Simon Jackson said everyone deserves to know the water quality before entering the water.
He added that with reliable readings in 15 minutes, communities can act swiftly and help keep water users safe.

Bactiquick measures a wider set of pathogens, including Salmonella, Leptospirosis and Vibrio, which many standard methods do not detect. The device is designed to be taken directly to the water’s edge, with results available on site. Readings can be logged through the Bactiquick app, including GPS location and timestamps, creating a live dataset of water quality.

Supporters say quicker testing could help communities respond more effectively to pollution incidents, reduce the number of precautionary beach closures and support the safety of swimmers and surfers.

The Newquay event will include live demonstrations of real-time testing on Fistral Beach, a talk by founder and lead scientist Simon Jackson, and information on funding options for surf schools, community groups, councils and tourism operators.

The “Meet the Science of Bactiquick” event takes place on 4 December 2025 at The Stable, Fistral Beach, from 9:30 to 11:30.

Find out more here.