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Service 01 · Bacterial source tracking
Trace Bacterial Pollution.
Two methods to identify the source and distribution of organic pollution:
Method A: Unravel total bacterial diversity with whole community microbial source tracking.
Method B: Quantify specific species, like E.coli and host-specific bacterial markers, with speed and precision.
| Price per sample | Turnaround | Applications | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Method A | £350 | 4–6 weeks | Regulation & Intervention |
| Method B | £60 per assay | 5–7 days | Regulation & Intervention |
The problem
E. coli alone can’t tell you where pollution is coming from.
For decades, faecal contamination monitoring has relied on a limited number of bacterial indicators, including E. coli. Counting one species tells you a problem exists; it doesn’t tell you where the problem is coming from. Is it livestock? Wastewater? Wildlife? Dog walkers?
Without that answer, interventions are slow, expensive, and often misdirected. Bacterial source tracking changes that. By looking at thousands of species at once, or a targeted panel of indicator organisms, we can attribute pollution to its actual origin.
Our approach
Whole-microbiome signatures, not single-species proxies.
Whole Community Microbial Source Tracking uses high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing to profile the entire bacterial community in a water sample. Every source of faecal contamination; human, bovine, ovine, avian, canine, carries its own microbial signature. We match that against reference libraries to identify not just that pollution is present, but where it originated.
Alternatively, targeted qPCR assays quantify specific species of interest like E. coli and Enterococcus, giving you compliance and health-risk numbers in the same report.
Method A
Whole-community profiling
Bacterial DNA is quantified before full-length 16S rRNA region amplicon sequencing resolves thousands of bacterial taxa per sample. Generated sequences are matched against reference libraries, using livestock, wildlife, and human waste microbiome profiles to attribute pollution sources. Statistical modelling then displays the proportional contribution of each source per sample, allowing you to evaluate pollution at your sites of interest.
This method is best if: you want to evaluate the whole microbial community and gain information on potential pathogenic organisms.
Pricing starts at £350 per sample.
Method B
Targeted qPCR
Individual assays for specific bacterial indicator species provide quantitative data using qPCR analysis. These assays can be requested on their own, as a targeted panel, or as an addition to Whole Community Microbial Source Tracking. Assays available include; E. coli, Enterococcus, and host-specific markers for the following sources: Human, Ruminant, Bird, Horse, Pig, or Dog.
This method is best if: speed and an overview of source organism is the desired outcome, or quantification of specific bacteria is required for monitoring purposes.
Pricing starts at £60 per sample, per assay.
Use cases
Who uses Trace Bacterial Pollution.
Deployed by organisations that need to move beyond single-indicator monitoring into evidence-based, source-attributed action.
Water companies
Catchment management teams investigating pollution incidents, prioritising interventions, and evidencing spill impact under environmental regulation.
Catchment partnerships
Multi-stakeholder groups identifying dominant pollution sources to inform targeted land-use and infrastructure investment.
NGOs & campaigners
Organisations building an evidence base for advocacy, citizen science programmes, and restoration project design.
Consultancies
Environmental consultants delivering impact assessments, due diligence, and advisory services for clients in the water sector.
Bathing water managers
Local authorities attributing exceedances to their true sources – upstream agriculture, sewage, or wildlife.
Researchers
Academic groups incorporating robust microbial source tracking into ecological and freshwater research programmes.
What you receive
Your report, your data, your next step.
Every project delivers a layered output: a plain-English summary for decision-makers, the full scientific report for technical teams, and the raw data for researchers.
| Whole-community profiling | Targeted qPCR | |
|---|---|---|
| Full technical reportMethods · results · per-site attribution | ||
| Source attribution dashboardVisualised pollution source contribution per sample site | ||
| qPCR quantification dataAbsolute counts for E. coli, Enterococcus, host markers | ||
| Sequencing dataSpecies by Sample Tables · Taxonomy · Fastq files (optional) | ||
| Debrief call with our scientistsQ&A walkthrough, included in every project |
Sampling kit
Eco-friendly kits, built for non-experts.
Our sampling kits are designed so anyone – catchment managers, citizen scientists, field officers – can collect usable samples with no lab training. Pre-packaged, clearly instructed, and made from biodegradable and recyclable materials wherever possible.
Each kit includes a bacterial eDNA filter, preservation reagents, sampling data forms, and all other required equipment.
Frequently asked
Your questions, answered.
How many samples do I need for a project?+
It depends on your question. Sampling plans may vary from a couple of samples to several hundred. Book a consultation and we’ll scope it with you.
How is this different from standard E. coli testing?+
Standard testing tells you how much E. coli is present. We tell you where it’s coming from by profiling thousands of bacterial species simultaneously, or targeting a range of indicator species, and attributing the pollution signature to its origin.
Can I use eDNA to replace traditional monitoring?+
Not replace, complement. eDNA is significantly cheaper and faster per unit effort, but traditional methods remain important for certain regulatory contexts.
What’s the typical turnaround?+
4–6 weeks from sample arrival at the lab to final report delivery for whole community projects, 5-7 days for qPCR projejcts. Urgent turnaround available on request.
How much does it cost?+
Pricing starts at £350 per sample for whole community sequencing with discounts for larger programmes. Indicator species analysis starts at £60 per indicator species test. Book a free consultation and we’ll send a tailored quote.
Start a project
Ready to read your
catchment’s signature?
Book a 30-minute consultation with our scientists. We’ll scope your question, discuss sample design, and send a tailored quote at no cost, no obligation.