Urine-Test Tech To Detect Reservoir Contamination

Technology developed to test urine for disease has been adapted to detect contamination in water sources.

Israeli startup Olive Diagnostics initially developed the tech to scan urine for early signs of diabetes, chronic kidney disease, bladder cancer, and other illnesses. 

It is now creating a mobile optical kit to improve the monitoring of different water sources and enable timely detection and treatment of hazardous contaminants.

The startup is developing it for Mekorot, Israel’s national water company, so it can improve its contaminant monitoring capabilities in drinking water and treated wastewater.

Olive’s system, which fits sensors to a toilet seat and measures the way light reflects off the flow of urine in real time, is currently used by assisted living facilities. 

“Good real-time detection of molecules in liquids make it possible to discover and repair malfunctions in systems in order to protect public health,” said Olive Diagnostics CEO Guy Goldman.

“Our optical technology for detecting molecules in liquids is attracting great interest not only from the healthcare sector, but also from other industries, such as desalination facility builders and operators, of bottled beverages producers and distributors.”

Yossi Jacoby, Mekorot VP Engineering and Technology, said: “As a national water company, we are committed to scrupulously protect the quality of the water reaching households, farmers, and industry. Olive Diagnostics’ product will help us locate potential threats in a timely manner and better deal with them.”

Olive Diagnostics was founded in 2019, and has raised $7.3 million since its establishment.

Mekorot supplies more than 1.7 billion cubic meters of water to homes, agricultural fields, and industrial plants throughout Israel. The company provides water and services to the private and public sectors in Israel as well as to the Palestinian Authority and Jordan, through political agreements.