Effective January 2026, the QuenchGone Aqueous family of test kits has been renamed BugCount Water. See this article for details.
The Bugcount Water test kit measures cellular ATP (cATP) to quantify total living biomass in water samples. This provides a clear and reliable indication of microbial activity, helping you detect contamination early, optimize treatment, and protect critical systems.
Key terms
ATP: Adenosine triphosphate, energy molecule of living cells.
cATP (cellular ATP): ATP inside living cells, representing active biomass.
RLU: Relative Light Units, the measurement of luminescence.
RLU ATP1: Calibration signal from UltraCheck 1.
RLU cATP: Sample result for cellular ATP.
Background RLU: Baseline signal measured from Luminase only.
Volume: Amount of sample filtered (20–50mL).
Run this test with the Relay™ app
Relay™ is your tool to easily calculate, organize, and share results. Access is included with your purchase.
If you are new to Relay™, follow the guides to first create a site and sample location.
Connect to your luminometer, then select RUN TESTS to begin a new test.
As you work through these test kit instructions, you can initiate RLU readings directly within Relay™ by selecting READ on any input. Once all inputs are entered, your results will automatically calculate.
1.2 Rehydrate the Luminase enzyme
Gently mix the Buffer and Luminase enzyme.
Wait 5 minutes for solution to dissolve.
After rehydration, keep Luminase refrigerated or frozen; it stays effective for 2–4 weeks at 4°C (39°F) or 3–6 months when frozen between uses. Before testing, let it thaw and reach room temperature (takes about 1 hour). Do not apply direct heat to warm it faster. For more details, visit my.luminultra.com.
1.3 Calibration using UltraCheck 1 (RLU ATP1)
Hold the UltraCheck 1 bottle vertical and add 2 drops (100µL) of it to a 12x55mm test tube.
Pipet 100µL of Luminase into the tube.
Swirl the tube, place it in the luminometer, and take the RLU ATP1 reading (select READ) within 10 seconds.
If RLU ATP1 ≤ 5,000 rehydrate a new bottle of Luminase.
Once UltraCheck 1 is opened, it must be used within 3 months. After 3 months, discard and use a new bottle.
Calibration should be done at least once per day, or prior to each testing session.
2. Cellular ATP analysis (RLU cATP)
2.1 Filtration
Mix sample well.
Remove the plunger from a 50mL syringe.
Attach the filter.
Pour 20–50mL of sample into the syringe, and record the amount used as Volume.
Slowly push sample through the filter into waste receptacle.
Detach the filter.
Remove the plunger.
2.2 Extraction
Re-attach the filter.
Add 1mL of UltraLyse 7 to the syringe.
Filter slowly and collect in a new 9mL UltraLute (dilution) tube.
Cap and invert three times to mix.
2.3 Background reading
Pipet 100µL of the Luminase into a new, clean 12x55mm test tube.
Put this test tube into your luminometer and take the Background RLU reading (select READ).
This tube will then be used for your sample assay on the next step.
If the Background RLU is above 20 RLU, this indicates that some external factors (light, contamination) may be influencing your results. LuminUltra offers cleaning kits for your luminometer. Please contact us to discuss.
2.4 Assay
Add 100µL of the UltraLute (dilution) solution directly to the assay tube containing Luminase that you used for the background reading.
Swirl the tube, place it in the luminometer, and take the RLU cATP reading (select READ) within 10 seconds.
In Relay™, select SAVE TEST.
3. Analysis
Calculations
Tip: Relay™ does the work For you
When all inputs are entered in Relay’sRun tests workflow, the results will calculate automatically. Select Save Test to catalog and share your results with your team.
Our guidance thresholds (e.g., 10 pg/mL) are drawn from broad industry experience with microbial contamination in similar systems. We encourage you to build your own baseline by comparing ATP results with on-the-ground observations. This creates thresholds tailored to your operation—so your team can act with confidence in every decision.
Support
Troubleshooting
Issue
Recommendation
Readings are lower than expected values
Ensure reagents are not expired (expiry information can be found on reagent vials). Ensure reagents are being stored properly (storage information can be found on reagent vials)
Background readings are higher than expected
Check if your Luminometer needs to be cleaned. Quarterly cleaning (LCK kit) and annual linearity verification (LSK kit) is recommended. Cleaning and maintenance kits are available for purchase from LuminUltra.
