In water damage and restoration work, not all water is equal, and what you cannot see can be the biggest risk. The CleanTrust ATP Water Total Swab gives you a rapid, on-site measure of microbial and organic contamination in a water sample.
It measures total ATP, both microbial (from living organisms) and non-microbial (from organic residue), and gives a reading on a compatible luminometer in seconds. Use it on flood-affected buildings, stagnant water and HVAC systems to make better-informed decisions on site. Each box holds 100 swabs.
Check Your Luminometer First
ATP swabs are matched to the meter that reads them. This page previously described the swabs as compatible with "most ATP luminometers". The manufacturer, Anaeron, lists three compatible instruments:
Use with any other meter is not confirmed by the manufacturer. If you run a different luminometer, ask us before ordering.
Why It Matters on the Job
- Identify contaminated water sources quickly: floodwater, stagnant water and water of unknown origin.
- Support your water category assessment with a measurement. A high reading points to contamination that should be taken into account when deciding whether water is clean, grey or potentially hazardous.
- Reduce risk to technicians and occupants by finding hidden contamination before exposure becomes an issue.
- Strengthen your documentation for insurers and clients with measurable data.
ATP does not identify organisms and, on its own, does not determine the water category. Use it alongside the source of the water, how long it has been standing, what it has contacted and the standard of care you work to.
Key Features
- Measures total contamination: detects both microbial ATP (live organisms) and non-microbial ATP (organic residue).
- Fast, on-site results: no lab delays; the reading displays in 10–15 seconds.
- Simple sampling: dip, activate, test.
- All-in-one swab with a self-contained, liquid-stable reagent.
- Consistent, repeatable readings suited to professional restoration workflows.
- Swab body made from recyclable plastic (Anaeron).
Ideal For
- Water damage restorers assessing flood-affected properties
- Testing stagnant water in buildings and structures
- Checking HVAC systems, drip trays and condensate lines
- Evaluating post-flood contamination risk
- Supporting mould remediation assessments
Anaeron's own listed applications are clean-in-place (CIP) systems, rinse water, healthcare water treatment and cooling tower biomass monitoring. The restoration uses above are CCW's applications of the same test.
How to Use It
- If the swabs have been refrigerated, let them reach room temperature first.
- Flick the swab firmly to settle the liquid, then remove the cap without touching the dipper.
- Submerge the dipper in the water sample and shake until the bubbles disappear.
- Put the dipper back in the tube and shake gently for 1–2 seconds.
- Activate by bending the bulb forward and back, then squeeze it twice. Shake for up to 5 seconds.
- Insert into the luminometer within 15 seconds. The result displays in 10–15 seconds.
A higher reading means higher contamination, which informs your next step. The full procedure is in the instructions linked below.
Reading the Result
Results are shown in RLU (relative light units). Anaeron's water swab instructions do not set fixed pass/fail limits: thresholds are set to suit your organisation in the luminometer's settings. Keep your own limits consistent from job to job so readings can be compared.
Storage and Shelf Life
Anaeron's instructions give a shelf life of 12 months at 2–8 °C, or 4 weeks at 20–25 °C, protected from light. The SDS calls for refrigerated storage at 2–8 °C in a sealed container. Refrigeration is recommended for the best shelf life.
Specifications
| Brand | CleanTrust (Anaeron Pty Ltd, Frenchs Forest NSW) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer code | AE0003 |
| CCW code | CTAE0003 |
| Type | ATP water test (total ATP) |
| Pack size | 100 swabs per box |
| Detection | Microbial and non-microbial ATP |
| Use case | Water contamination assessment |
| Principle | Luciferase–luciferin bioluminescence; light output is proportional to ATP |
| Detection limit | 10⁻¹⁶ mol (instructions); "up to 1 × 10⁻¹⁶ detection with compatible luminometer" (flyer) |
| Time to result | 10–15 seconds |
| Compatible meters | CleanTrust Touch YZ3500, Hygiena SystemSURE Plus, Hygiena EnSURE Touch |
| Storage | 2–8 °C (12 months) or 20–25 °C (4 weeks), away from light |
| Classification | Not classified as hazardous; not dangerous goods for transport (SDS v1.0, July 2025) |
Why Professionals Choose CleanTrust Water Swabs
When you are dealing with water damage, assumptions can cost you. These swabs give you a fast way to assess contamination risk on site, better confidence in your scope of work decisions, and supporting data for reports and insurance claims.
Used alongside surface ATP testing with the CleanTrust ATP Surface Swab, you can build a fuller contamination profile of the site, not just what is visible.
Pro Tip
Always test multiple points within the same site, for example pooled water, HVAC systems and affected surfaces. Contamination levels can vary significantly within one building.
Common Mistakes This Helps Avoid
- Assuming all water on site is the same category
- Missing microbial risk in stagnant or hidden water sources
- Under-scoping contamination in water-damaged buildings
- Lacking evidence when justifying remediation work
- Overlooking HVAC systems as contamination sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these swabs work in my luminometer?
Anaeron lists the CleanTrust Touch YZ3500, Hygiena SystemSURE Plus and Hygiena EnSURE Touch. For any other meter, ask us before ordering.
Can a reading tell me the water category?
Not on its own. ATP gives you a measure of organic and microbial load. Category decisions also depend on the water's source, time and contact, and on the standard you work to. Use the reading as supporting evidence.
Can I use these on surfaces?
No. Use the CleanTrust ATP Surface Swab for surfaces. The water swab has a dipper designed for liquid samples.
Do they need an incubator?
No. ATP swabs are read straight away, with no incubation.
How long do they last?
Twelve months refrigerated at 2–8 °C, or four weeks at 20–25 °C, according to Anaeron. Check the expiry on the box and rotate stock.
Documents
- CleanTrust™ ATP Water Total Swab Flyer
- CleanTrust™ ATP Water Total Swab Instructions
- CleanTrust™ ATP Water Total Swab SDS
Related Products
- CleanTrust Touch YZ3500 Luminometer
- CleanTrust ATP Surface Swab, Box of 100
- Hygiena AquaSnap Total, 100 Pack
- CleanTrust
Not sure how to fit water testing into your restoration process? Tell us which luminometer you run and the jobs you do, and we will help you choose before you order. Add CleanTrust Water Total Swabs to your kit and assess contamination with real data, not assumptions.
