Forget the Lab: How We Tested for Lead & Copper in Tap Water in Under 5 Minutes
Imagine knowing exactly what’s in your water—not in a week, not in a few days, but in less than five minutes. That’s the future of water testing we’re building at Zimmer and Peacock.
In a recent live webinar, we demonstrated our cutting-edge sensor technology by doing a real-time test for lead and copper in tap water. The entire process, from sample collection to result, was faster than brewing a cup of coffee. Here’s how it went and why it matters.
The Old Way: A Slow, Complicated Process
Traditionally, testing water for heavy metals like lead and copper is a lengthy ordeal. The standard workflow looks like this:
-
Collection: A technician goes to a facility to collect a water sample.
-
Shipping: The sample is carefully packaged and shipped to a centralized, high-tech laboratory.
-
Analysis: The lab uses a massive, expensive piece of equipment called an ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer) to analyze the sample.
-
Reporting: Days or weeks later, the results are sent back.
This process is plagued by delays, potential sample mix-ups, and high costs (an ICP-MS machine can cost around $200,000). The biggest problem? The person who needs the result the most—the facility operator—is the last to know.
The New Way: Real-Time Results at the Point of Need
We set out to solve this problem with a simple principle: decentralize testing. Our goal is to put the power of a full laboratory into the palm of your hand, enabling rapid, on-the-spot analysis.
To illustrate the versatility of our platform, we started the demo with a quick test—measuring the caffeine in a sample of Red Bull. Using our handheld Sensit All instrument and a dedicated caffeine sensor, we had a confirmed result in just 15 seconds.
This wasn’t just for fun; it was to demonstrate our core design philosophy: simple sample preparation and fast assays.
The Main Event: Testing for Lead & Copper
Then, we moved to the real test. Using a water sample collected that morning from a tap, we followed our streamlined process:
-
Collect Sample: 50 µL of tap water.
-
Add Buffer: 50 µL of a specialized lead/copper buffer.
-
Mix: A quick shake to combine.
-
Load & Run: The mixture is applied to a lead/copper sensor, and the analysis begins.
The instrument’s display showed the test would take just 4 minutes. While it ran, we discussed the science behind the technology: the sensor electrochemically enriches any lead and copper present on its surface before analyzing it to generate a precise signal.
The Results Are In: Live and Direct
As the timer counted down, the results appeared live on screen:
-
Lead: 4.49 ppb (parts per billion) – a very low level.
-
Copper: 324 ppb (0.324 ppm) – also a low concentration.
The entire workflow, from sample prep to result, took under 5 minutes. But the innovation doesn’t stop at a number on a screen.
More Than Just a Number: Data Transparency & Traceability
Many point-of-need devices give you a result with no way to verify it. Our connected platform, Julie, ensures full transparency and traceability.
The moment the test was completed, all the raw data was automatically uploaded to the cloud. This means a quality or facility manager can:
-
Access the results from anywhere.
-
See the exact electrochemical signals behind the numbers for verification.
-
View a certificate of analysis.
-
Download a full PDF report for records or compliance.
This solves the crucial issue of data custodianship, providing instant, trustworthy results you can act on immediately.
Why This Matters
The implications are significant for industrial and environmental monitoring. This technology empowers facility managers and compliance teams to test on-site and get answers instantly. It eliminates the anxiety of waiting and allows for immediate intervention if a problem is found, ensuring operational safety and regulatory compliance without delay.
Summary: A New Paradigm for Water Safety
Our live demo proved that waiting days for water test results is now optional. Our SensIt All platform provides:
-
Speed: Results for lead and copper in under 5 minutes.
-
Simplicity: Easy, two-step sample preparation.
-
Affordability: A fraction of the cost of centralized lab equipment.
-
Transparency: Cloud-connected data for verification and reporting.
We didn’t just show you a technology; we showed you a solution to a real-world problem. The future of water testing is fast, portable, and incredibly powerful.
