A Staffordshire Moorlands business is tapping into university expertise to develop a game-changing new product to prevent the spread of the deadly Legionella bacteria.
SAS Water, based in Leek, is producing a sensor-based solution that can automatically monitor water for the bacteria, which if left undetected can grow to dangerous levels and cause the respiratory infection Legionnaires’ Disease.
Usually, Legionella risk is monitored through temperature checks and regular flushing of water systems. The pioneering new product would be both more accurate and save resources.
To bring its idea to fruition SAS Water, which has 30 years’ experience in the sector, has teamed up with Staffordshire University on the project which aims to transform the market for water safety.
Lizzie Ward, Managing Director of SAS Water, pictured above, said: “Each year, hundreds of Legionella outbreaks are discovered across the UK and can result in serious illness and death.
“Businesses have a legal obligation to understand and minimise the risk of Legionella and we provide a range of services to help them do this.
“We had an idea for a new product but didn’t have the technical know-how to bring it to life. So, working with Staffordshire University seemed liked a fantastic opportunity.”
SAS Water has accessed a range of funded support through Staffordshire University’s Innovation Enterprise Zone, including the use of state-of-the-art facilities, dedicated academic advisors and a graduate intern.
After developing the product concept and a prototype, the company has entered a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Staffordshire University to bring the product to market.
Lizzie added: “We wouldn’t have been able to do this without the support and technical knowledge of the academics and our KTP associate, Preetam, who is now an amazing member of our team.”
Philip O’Neil, Employer Partnership Development Manager at Staffordshire University, said: “SAS Water is a brilliant, forward-thinking company and this is the perfect example of knowledge transfer.
You have a business with an idea for a project but lacking the internal expertise to deliver it. We have incredible knowledge within our academic teams. It’s a fantastic way of driving businesses forward.
“We’re very pleased to be working with SAS Water on this product which will not only benefit the business but will have a positive impact on society as a whole.”
