Portable greywater testing kit

Abstract

A portable greywater test kit (10), consisting of: a power source (11); at least one ONPG roll (16) configured to react with the greywater during discharge, producing color changes to detect bacterial contamination; a servo motor (14) that positions and rotates the roller to gradually release the ONPG roller towards the wastewater; one or more sensors (12) that analyze the intensity and hue of the color change that occurs on the ONPG roll after reaction with microbial impurities; a Raspberry Pi Pico (15) which processes the data received from the color recognition sensor to determine the level of contamination using predefined instructions; at least one OLED display (13) that shows users real-time contamination data by indicating different contamination states, such as harmless, moderate or high contamination, based on the color intensity detected by the sensor; one or more LED indicators (17) provide the user with immediate visual warnings in green, yellow and red during the testing of water quality based on low, medium and high levels of pollution; A tear-off mechanism (19) allows the user to remove and dispose of the used ONPG section at the push of a button; At least one button (18) restarts the test process after the removal of the used ONPG roll in the next operating cycle.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to devices for water quality testing. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable greywater test kit for detecting bacterial contamination, in particular Escherichia coli (E. coli), an important indicator of fecal contamination in water. BACKGROUND

[0002] Access to clean and safe water is a fundamental human need. However, greywater, generated from washing, bathing, and household cleaning, often contains harmful microbial contaminants. Among these contaminants, E. coli poses one of the greatest health risks, as it serves as an indicator of fecal contamination and the potential presence of pathogenic bacteria. Untreated or improperly treated greywater can lead to serious waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid, particularly in regions with poor sanitation infrastructure.

[0003] Given the growing concerns about greywater reuse and discharge, there is currently a lack of affordable, portable, and user-friendly solutions for detecting microbial contamination outside of laboratories. Existing water quality testing methods have several drawbacks, including high costs and time commitment. Laboratory-based water testing procedures require expensive reagents and specialized equipment. Traditional microbial detection methods require trained personnel and long incubation periods. In many remote or underserved regions, access to testing facilities is lacking, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.

[0004] Commercially available test kits and laboratory-based methods for microbial contamination are often too expensive for widespread use in rural communities and small businesses. Many existing microbial detection methods require multiple steps, qualified personnel, and incubation periods of several hours to days before results are available. Conventional water test kits are bulky and require specialized handling, making them impractical for field use in remote locations.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a portable greywater testing kit to avoid health problems caused by the detection of bacterial contamination using the ONPG roll. The present invention effectively overcomes the aforementioned problems, limitations, and disadvantages. GOAL OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a portable greywater test kit that reduces the time required for the immediate testing of wastewater samples.

[0007] Another objective of the present invention is the development of a cost-effective, portable and user-friendly water test kit for the detection of microbial contaminants, in particular Escherichia coli (E. coli), in greywater.

[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to use the ONPG colorimetric roller system to enable a rapid, visual indication of bacterial infestation and thus allow an immediate decision on the reuse or discharge of greywater.

[0009] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an affordable and easily accessible test kit that is ideally suited for low-income households, small communities and resource-poor regions where conventional testing methods are not practical.

[0010] A further objective of the present invention is to simplify the testing process and ensure that even laypersons can easily perform water quality assessments. This promotes sustainable greywater management and reduces the risk of waterborne diseases.

[0011] Another objective of the present invention is to ensure safer handling of water and thus contribute to environmental protection and the improvement of public health on a larger scale.

[0012] Another objective of the present invention is to offer the test kit at an affordable price in order to minimize environmental pollution and health problems.

[0013] These and other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. SUMMARY

[0014] The various embodiments of the present invention disclose a portable greywater test kit for detecting bacterial contamination, in particular Escherichia coli (E. coli), in greywater. The portable kit comprises at least one ONPG roll. The ONPG roll reacts with the greywater during dispensing, thus producing color changes for identifying bacterial contamination. The servo motor ensures the positioning and rotation of the roll to dispense the ONPG roll incrementally into the wastewater.

[0015] One or more primary sensors analyze the intensity and hue of the color change that occurs on the ONPG roll after reaction with microbial contaminants. The Raspberry Pi Pico processes the data received from the color sensor and determines the contamination level based on predefined instructions. The OLED display shows the user real-time contamination data and indicates different contamination levels, such as low, medium, or high, based on the color intensity detected by the sensor.

[0016] One or more LED indicators provide the user with immediate visual warning signals in green, yellow, and red during water quality testing, based on contamination levels of low, medium, and high. The tear-off mechanism allows for the removal and disposal of the used ONPG section at the touch of a button. After the used ONPG roll is removed, the testing process restarts with the next operating cycle.

[0017] The device can be rectangular, square, or similarly shaped. The roller contains o-nitrophenyl β-D-galactopyranoside material for detecting bacterial contamination. The first sensor set can be positioned on any side of the kit to detect color changes and thus determine the precise level of contamination. The first sensor set can be attached to the underside of the ONPG roller, facing outwards. The rotation of the servo motor is controlled by a push button. The OLED display on the top of the kit shows the user the current status. The tear-off mechanism removes the used ONPG material when a button is pressed, with the tear-off rate adjustable by the user as needed. The ONPG roller reacts with β-galactosidase, an enzyme produced by E. coli bacteria, resulting in a distinct yellow coloration.

[0018] These and other aspects of the embodiments described herein will be more readily understood in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. While the following descriptions depict preferred embodiments and numerous specific details, they serve only for illustration and do not constitute a limitation. Numerous changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the embodiments described herein without departing from the inventive concept. The embodiments described herein encompass all such modifications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0019] The further objectives, features and advantages will become apparent to the person skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawing. Fig. shows the schematic representation of the portable grey water test kit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] The specific features of the present invention are illustrated in some drawings, but not in others. This is solely for the sake of clarity, since each feature can be combined with all or some of the other features according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The various embodiments and further developments and features are illustrated with reference to the non-limiting details in the following detailed description. To avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments described herein, the description of processing techniques for known components has been omitted. The examples used herein are intended to facilitate understanding of the application possibilities of the embodiments described herein and to enable those skilled in the art to implement them in practice. Therefore, the examples should not be understood as limiting the scope of application of the embodiments described herein.

[0022] The various embodiments of the present invention disclose a portable greywater test kit (10) for detecting bacterial contamination, in particular Escherichia coli (E. coli), in greywater. The portable kit comprises a power source and at least one ONPG roll. The ONPG roll reacts with the greywater during dispensing, thus generating color changes to identify bacterial contamination. The servo motor (14) positions and rotates the roll to dispense the ONPG roll incrementally into the wastewater. The first sensor(s) analyze the intensity and hue of the color change that occurs on the ONPG roll after reaction with microbial contamination. The Raspberry Pi Pico (15) processes the data received from the color sensor and determines the degree of contamination according to predefined instructions.The OLED display shows the user real-time contamination data and indicates various levels of contamination, such as low, medium, or high, based on the color intensity detected by the sensor. One or more LED indicators (17) provide the user with immediate visual warnings in green, yellow, and red during water quality testing, based on the values ​​for low, medium, and high levels of contamination. The tear-off mechanism (19) allows for the removal and disposal of the used ONPG section at the touch of a button.

[0023] Fig.Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the portable greywater test kit according to an embodiment of the present invention. One or more buttons are used to restart the test procedure in the next operating cycle after removal of the used ONPG roll. The device can be rectangular, square, or similarly shaped. The roll (16) contains the o-nitrophenyl β-D-galactopyranoside material for detecting bacterial contamination. One or more sensors can be positioned on any side of the kit to detect color changes and thus determine the precise degree of contamination. The first set of sensors can be placed on the underside of the ONPG roll, facing outwards. The rotation of the servo motor (14) can be controlled by pressing a button. The OLED display is located on the top of the kit and shows the user the current status.

[0024] The tear-off mechanism (19) removes the used ONPG material by pressing the button. The tear-off rate can be adjusted by the user as needed. The ONPG roll reacts with β-galactosidase, an enzyme produced by E. coli bacteria, resulting in a distinct yellow coloration.

[0025] The color detection sensor (12) is a key component for analyzing the intensity and hue of the color change that occurs on the ONPG roll after reaction with microbial contaminants. This sensor utilizes high-precision optical technology to measure the specific yellow tones that correlate with the degree of E. coli contamination in the greywater sample. By converting the detected color intensity into quantitative data, the sensor ensures high accuracy and reliability in determining the contamination level. Furthermore, it reduces human error in visual interpretation and makes the device more user-friendly. The sensor consumes little power, making it suitable for portable and battery-operated applications. It also enables real-time monitoring, allowing for immediate detection of and response to potential water contamination.

[0026] The kit's integrated OLED (Organic Light-emitting diode) display provides a clear and user-friendly visual representation of the test results. The high-contrast, energy-efficient display presents real-time contamination data, enabling a quick interpretation of the water quality. The OLED screen indicates different levels of contamination, such as safe, medium, or heavy, based on the color intensity detected by the sensor.

[0027] The servomotor (14) is integrated into the system to automate mechanical movements, thereby improving the functionality and user-friendliness of the water test kit. It controls the precise positioning of the ONPG roll, ensuring accurate exposure of the test area to the water sample. Additionally, the servomotor can be used to move components, such as adjusting the sensor orientation for optimal color detection or tearing off / ejecting used ONPG sections to prepare the device for the next test.

[0028] The Raspberry Pi Pico serves as the central processing unit of the water test kit, coordinating the functions of all hardware components. This microcontroller processes the data from the color sensor, interprets the contamination level, and controls the OLED display, servo motor, and LED indicators. The Raspberry Pi Pico (15) operates with high computational efficiency, ensuring fast response times for real-time microbe detection. Furthermore, it allows for programmable adjustments to improve test accuracy and integrate future upgrades such as data logging and wireless connectivity for remote monitoring.

[0029] The ONPG (o-nitrophenyl β-D-galactopyranoside) roll is the kit's central detection medium. Unlike conventional ONPG strips, this roll-based system enables continuous testing, reduces waste, and makes the instrument more cost-effective. The ONPG roll reacts with β-galactosidase, an enzyme produced by E. coli bacteria, resulting in a distinct yellow coloration. The intensity of this color change is directly proportional to the level of bacterial contamination in the greywater sample. The roll format offers enhanced usability, as the user can simply switch to a new section after each test, eliminating the need for frequent strip changes. This design improves convenience, reduces manual handling, and enhances hygiene and accuracy.The high sensitivity of the ONPG roll to microbial activity makes it an efficient and fast diagnostic tool that ensures the timely detection of unsafe water conditions.

[0030] The kit (10) is equipped with several LED indicators that serve as an immediate visual warning of water contamination. These LEDs increase user convenience by providing a quick and easy-to-understand indication of the contamination status at a glance. The LED system follows a color-coded scheme: Green LED: Indicates safe water, meaning there is no or only negligible microbial contamination. The water can be reused or discharged without health risks. Yellow LED: Indicates moderate contamination, suggesting that the water may contain bacteria and requires further investigation or treatment before use. Red LED: Warns of high contamination, meaning the water is not suitable for reuse or discharge without proper treatment. Immediate action is required to prevent health hazards.

[0031] The LED system works in conjunction with the OLED display and the color sensor, providing dual feedback for improved accuracy and ease of use. The LEDs also enhance the device's accessibility for users in low-light conditions or for those who have difficulty reading the OLED screen. Thanks to the integrated, energy-efficient, long-life LED indicators, the kit ensures energy efficiency while delivering critical contamination alerts in real time. The present invention (10) is a simple and portable solution for testing greywater for contaminants, particularly harmful bacteria such as E. coli. It offers a fast and cost-effective way to check water quality and is therefore suitable for households and communities. This is especially important in areas where waterborne diseases pose a significant health risk.The kit uses specially prepared test strips treated with an ONPG solution. When these strips come into contact with greywater, they react with E. coli, which produces the enzyme β-galactosidase. This enzyme triggers a visible color change in the strip. The color scale ranges from unchanged (for safe water) through pale yellow (moderate contamination) to bright yellow (high contamination). This allows users to easily interpret the results without specialized equipment. This invention makes water testing accessible to everyone. It is inexpensive, easy to use, and provides immediate results. This allows people to ensure their water is safe. Whether for home use or municipal applications, this kit supports better water management and helps reduce the risk of waterborne diseases. In one embodiment, the user switches on the device (10) by pressing a button.This activates the OLED display and shows the product operating cycle name. After a second button press, the servo motor precisely advances the ONPG roll and dispenses a new section of ONPG-treated paper. This eliminates the need for manual handling of individual strips, improving hygiene and efficiency. Unlike conventional single-use test strips, the ONPG roll design allows for multiple tests on a single roll, reducing waste and improving cost-effectiveness. The extended ONPG section then locks into place to ensure a secure testing area for the sample. The user then flips the device over and carefully immerses the designated section of ONPG paper into the water sample. The ONPG paper contains a pre-applied enzyme substrate that reacts with β-galactosidase, an enzyme produced by lactose-fermenting bacteria such as E. coli.This enzymatic reaction breaks down the ONPG substrate, resulting in a distinct yellow coloration that intensifies depending on the level of contamination in the sample. Once the reaction is complete, the user presses the button again, activating the color recognition sensor in the device. This sensor analyzes the resulting color on the ONPG paper and determines the degree of E. coli contamination.

[0032] After the result is displayed, the device (10) activates a tear-off mechanism, allowing the user to easily remove and dispose of the used ONPG section. Unlike conventional test strips, which must be manually replaced, the ONPG roll provides a continuous supply of test paper, ensuring quick and convenient reuse. The remaining ONPG roll in the device is automatically advanced by the servo motor to prepare a fresh section for the next test.

[0033] Once the used paper strip is torn off and safely disposed of, the device is immediately ready for the next test, without the need to insert a new test strip. This eliminates frequent refilling, and users can continuously and easily monitor water quality. By automating the testing, detection, and disposal process, the device offers a seamless, efficient, and cost-effective solution for microbial water testing. The ONPG roll mechanism eliminates wasteful single-use strips, making the system sustainable and reusable. The present invention is particularly useful in rural areas, resource-poor regions, and emergency water safety assessments, where modern water testing facilities may not be readily available. The present invention eliminates the need for time-consuming laboratory procedures.Its high-precision color sensors ensure accurate and reliable contamination analysis and eliminate human interpretation errors. Additionally, the device delivers results via a multi-indicator system, including a digital OLED display, LED lights, and a warning buzzer, making it accessible to all users.

[0034] The examples of the present invention described above serve only for illustration. Although the present invention has been described with reference to a specific example, numerous modifications are possible without substantially departing from the teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Further substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible without abandoning the fundamental concept of the present solution. All features disclosed in this specification (including the appended claims, the abstract, and the drawings) and / or all steps of a method or process disclosed therein may be combined in any way, except for combinations in which at least some of these features and / or steps are mutually exclusive.

[0035] Although the embodiments described here are described using various specific examples, it is obvious to the person skilled in the art to implement the embodiments described here with modifications. Reference symbol list: 10 Portable Greywater Test Kit 11 Power source 12 color recognition sensors 13" OLED display 14 servo motor 15 Raspberry Pi 16 ONPG roll 17 LED display 18 key 19 Tear-open mechanism

Claims

[1] A portable greywater test kit (10) consisting of: a power source (11); at least one ONPG roll (16) configured to react with the greywater during discharge, producing color changes to detect bacterial contamination; a servo motor (14) that positions and rotates the roller to gradually release the ONPG roller towards the wastewater; one or more sensors (12) that analyze the intensity and hue of the color change that occurs on the ONPG roll after reaction with microbial impurities; a Raspberry Pi Pico (15) which processes the data received from the color recognition sensor to determine the level of contamination using predefined instructions; at least one OLED display (13) that shows users real-time contamination data by indicating different contamination states, such as harmless, moderate or high contamination, based on the color intensity detected by the sensor; one or more LED indicators (17) provide the user with immediate visual warnings in green, yellow and red during the testing of water quality based on low, medium and high levels of pollution; A tear-off mechanism (19) allows the user to remove and dispose of the used ONPG section at the push of a button; At least one button (18) restarts the test process after the removal of the used ONPG roll in the next operating cycle. [2] Portable grey water test kit according to claim 1, wherein the device (10) may be rectangular, square or similarly shaped. [3] Portable grey water test kit according to claim 1, wherein the roll contains the o-nitrophenyl-β-D-galactopyranoside material for the detection of bacterial contamination. [4] Portable grey water test kit according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor(s) (12) can be positioned on any side of the kit to detect color changes and thus determine the exact degree of contamination. [5] Portable grey water test kit according to claim 4, wherein the first sensor set can be placed on the underside of the ONPG roller facing outwards. [6] Portable grey water test kit according to claim 1, wherein the rotation of the servo motor (14) can be controlled by a knob to enable the rotation of the ONPG roller. [7] Portable grey water test kit according to claim 1, wherein the OLED display is located on the top of the kit and shows the user the current status. [8] Portable grey water test kit according to claim 1, wherein the tear-off mechanism (19) removes the used ONPG material by pressing the button, wherein the tear-off level can be adjusted by the user as required. [9] Portable grey water test kit according to claim 1, wherein the ONPG roll (16) reacts with β-galactosidase, an enzyme produced by E. coli bacteria, and causes a distinct yellow coloration.

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