In May 2026, SimplexHealth and Bactiquick attended the Sywell Open Water Swimming venue to demonstrate the latest rapid river water testing kit and open water bacteria testing technology designed for swimmers, bathing waters, event organisers and water safety teams.
The live demonstration focused on the growing need for fast and reliable open water testing for bacteria, particularly as more people across the UK take part in wild swimming, triathlons and outdoor water sports. Using the portable Bactiquick testing device, the team showed how water samples from lakes, rivers and open water swimming venues can be screened for bacteria contamination in as little as 15 minutes.
Unlike traditional laboratory water testing, which can often take 24–48 hours for results, the Bactiquick system provides near real-time screening for Gram-negative bacteria, including indicators linked to E.coli and sewage contamination. This allows swimming venues and open water users to make quicker decisions about water safety conditions.
The demonstration at Sywell Opne Water Swimming attracted interest from open water swimmers and organisers keen to improve awareness around open water bacteria testing, river water quality testing, and safer wild swimming practices.
The Bactiquick River & Open Water 15 Minute Bacteria Test Kit supplied by SimplexHealth is designed for rapid onsite testing at rivers, lakes, reservoirs and coastal swimming locations. The compact handheld system works alongside a mobile app, helping users record and monitor open water testing results quickly and efficiently.
As concerns around river pollution and water safety continue to grow, technologies such as Bactiquick are helping support faster, more accessible bacteria testing for the open water swimming community.
