The dipslide test consists of a sterile reactive agar on a plastic paddle, which is dipped into the sample liquid or pressed onto the surface. After this, the dipslide is placed in a microbiological dipslide incubator for water testing or surface testing. The dipslide will stay here for a fixed period of time, at a fixed temperature, as this allows the bacteria to grow.

The Health and Safety Executive‘s (HSE) Approved Code of Practice (ACoP L8) recommends using dipslides to monitor the levels of aerobic bacteria. Although common in water systems, this can be completed in different environments. Our dipslides can be used for water treatment for the control of legionella, or on surfaces. In addition, ACoP L8 recommends that cooling towers should be tested weekly.