Stagnant lines, aging plumbing, and biofilm-friendly conditions let opportunistic bacteria (Legionella-class, Pseudomonas-class, and others) grow undetected. Retego Certus OPO gives commercial, healthcare, and residential operators a same-day microbial profile of their building water.
Opportunistic piping organisms grow in conditions most water testing programs do not look for: stagnant lines, low-flow fixtures, aging plumbing, and the biofilm communities that form on the inside of pipes over time.
Standard residential test kits do not detect them. Lab-based Legionella testing exists, but takes 10 to 14 days and covers only a specific subset of organisms. By the time the result arrives, the building manager has either treated blindly or waited too long.
Retego Certus OPO extends the Retego microbial workflow to detect the broader class of opportunistic organisms typical of pipe biofilm communities. The chemistry detects metabolic activity rather than waiting for cultured growth, so the result reflects the bacteria that are active in the system right now.
Hospital Plumbing Assessments
A facilities manager at a regional hospital tests building water at multiple sample locations as part of a routine water system assessment. Same-day results can help identify locations with elevated bacterial activity for further evaluation and support more timely water management decisions.
Hotel Reopening After Vacancy
A hospitality group preparing to reopen a property after an extended period of low occupancy uses Retego Certus OPO to assess bacterial activity in the building water system before guests return. Results can help identify areas that may warrant further investigation or water management measures following periods of low flow or stagnation.
Older Residential Properties with Reported Symptoms
For older properties or homes using well water, Retego Certus OPO can provide additional information about bacterial activity in the water system. The results can help identify conditions that may warrant further investigation and provide homeowners and water professionals with more information to guide next steps.
| Method | Time to Result | Coverage | Key drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retego Certus™ OPO | 1–24 hours | Broad opportunistic class | Individual species not identified |
| Lab Legionella culture | 10 to 14 days | Legionella only | Too slow; narrow coverage |
| Standard residential test kit | Days | General bacteria only | Does not detect biofilm organisms |