Abstract: A decision support system and method can be used to control a water treatment or distribution system. The decision support system collects data from multiple water system operators and analyses the data for a selected water system according to one or more rules or algorithms. The system returns data, optionally including alerts or predictions, to the system operator. Optionally, the decision support system uses machine learning applied to (i) historical data from a selected water system and/or (ii) data from other water systems to modify the rules or algorithms used to analyze current data from a selected water system. In some embodiments, the data collected includes microbial population data such as ATP data, optionally including derivatives of microbial population data; microbial speciation information; or, metagenomic data.

Abstract: A method of binding a nucleic acid and/or a contaminant from a sample includes the step of contacting the nucleic acid and/or the contaminant with a metal-based gel. The metal-based gel is preferably an aluminum-based gel, a cesium-based gel, a lanthanum-based gel, or a combination thereof. The phosphate concentration, phosphate:metal ratio, and/or pH in the sample is modulated during binding to influence the binding capacity and/or preference of the gel.

Abstract: A method of conducting a biochemical assay that allows for a reduction of assay interferences. The method comprises treating a mixture of cell sample and cell constituents solubilizing agent, with an insoluble agent prior to conducting the assay. There is also provided a device as well as a kit for carrying out such assays.

Abstract: A reagent system comprises a first reagent which includes a high pH phosphate buffer, and a second reagent which includes luciferase, luciferin, a magnesium salt and an enzyme stabilizer. The second reagent has a low pH and a buffer with a pK which is near the optimum pH for activity of luciferase. The reagent system may be used in a process for measuring total adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and/or dissolved extracellular ATP, in a fluid containing microorganisms. The reagent system may also be used in a microbiological remediation or production process.