ExactBlue and ensuring high quality drinking water at mining sites

31 July 2025

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High-quality drinking water at mine sites is crucial for worker health and safety and ensuring water quality meets stringent safety standards is essential. Mining sites pose several challenges when it comes to ensuring safe drinking water.

First, mine sites are often in remote areas, requiring robust and reliable treatment systems.
Second, mine sites often support large numbers of workers that can necessitate high-capacity water treatment and dispensing systems.
Third, limited available water sources such as groundwater and surface water can be contaminated and require careful monitoring and treatment.
Fourth, mining operations can potentially impact water sources, so responsible water management is essential.
Finally, sending samples to labs for detailed analysis can be a costly and time-consuming exercise due to the remoteness of many mine sites.

Solutions from ExactBlue

This is where solutions from ExactBlue can be very beneficial. ExactBlue Technologies specializes in point of use rapid tests that are sensitive, and easy to use for detecting and monitoring contaminants in water. ExactBlue service a wide range of industries including agriculture, environmental management, mining, hospitality, healthcare and more. Easy-to-use tests allow in-field testing, without having to travel with a sample. By screening regularly with ExactBlue technology, you can catch water contamination early and keep your workforce safe.

When testing water for bacteria such as E. coli, there are two important factors to consider. The first is detection limit, which is the smallest number of bacteria the test can find. The second is called time to results, which is just how fast the test gives you an answer. The type of test you need depends on your use. For example, testing wastewater or groundwater may not require the same speed or sensitivity as testing drinking water or water used for bathing, as safety standards will be much stricter.

How does the technology work? ExactBlue®’s nanotech platform uses functionalized nanoparticles that attach to viable cells and produce a change that can be observed. Using proprietary sample preparation methods, ExactBlue can currently achieve detection limits required for pharmaceutical and medical water quality and can easily meet drinking and recreational water testing requirements.

Some kits to consider:

AquaVial Ex – for E. coli or Coliform Identification

AquaVial Ex