Our approach · AquaTrace
How does AquaTrace test for microplastics?
You should understand what happens to your water without needing a chemistry degree. Here is the AquaTrace process in plain English.
In short
You send us a 1 L water sample. We prepare and image the sample, use AI-assisted analysis to detect and classify particles, review the result, and turn it into a clear visual report.
1. You collect the water
We supply the sample bottle and return packaging. You fill the bottle from the source you want to understand — for example, your kitchen tap, filtered water or another household source — then seal and return it.
We keep the customer step deliberately simple so the more technical work happens under controlled conditions at AquaTrace.
2. We prepare the sample
Once your water arrives, AquaTrace prepares it using a consistent in-house process designed to make small plastic particles easier to detect and examine.
We keep the detailed preparation procedure internal. What matters for customers is that each sample follows the same controlled workflow and is handled with checks designed to reduce the chance of contamination affecting the result.
3. We image and analyse what we find
Particles captured from the sample are imaged so we can assess their size, shape and other visual characteristics. AquaTrace then uses AI-assisted image analysis to support particle detection, counting and polymer classification.
The model does not work alone: results are reviewed before they are included in a customer report.
4. We make the result understandable
The finished report is designed for a person, not a laboratory. It brings together the particle count, size information, representative images and polymer classifications in a format that is easy to follow.
If you are comparing two samples, such as tap and filtered water, the report can also make that comparison clear without forcing you to interpret raw laboratory data yourself.
How we maintain consistency
AquaTrace uses ongoing quality checks, including known samples and blank controls, to monitor the performance of the analysis process.
We review our workflow and AI-assisted analysis as part of normal quality management so the service remains consistent as testing volumes grow.