SwimSense Field Test Kit

Most SwimSense results develop within minutes, allowing users to quickly assess changing conditions before entering the water.

SwimSense was created for:

• Wild swimmers
  
• Open water swimmers
  
• Paddleboarders
  
• Surfers
  
• Triathletes
  
• Families enjoying natural water
  
• Dog walkers near lakes and rivers
  

Anyone wanting greater awareness of changing water conditions may find it useful.

Higher readings may suggest increased organic pollution or runoff entering the water. This can happen after heavy rain, flooding, agricultural runoff or wastewater discharge events.

These readings do not confirm harmful contamination, but they may indicate conditions where extra caution is appropriate.

SwimSense Field Test Kits include dedicated blue-green algae toxin tests designed to help detect toxins associated with harmful algal blooms (cyanobacteria).

In addition, some environmental indicators within the wider SwimSense testing system — such as elevated nutrients, ammonia levels, warmer stagnant water conditions, and reduced water movement — may help highlight conditions where algae growth is more likely.

While no field test can guarantee complete water safety, these tools can provide valuable real-time awareness to support informed decisions before entering the water.

Always avoid water with visible surface scum, unusual colouring, strong odours, or official algae warnings, and take extra care with children and dogs around suspected algae blooms.

Yes. Blue-green algae toxins can be especially dangerous for dogs if ingested while swimming or drinking water.

If you suspect algae is present:

• Keep dogs out of the water
  
• Prevent them licking wet fur
  
• Follow local guidance and warning signs

SwimSense is designed to provide fast, accessible indicator results for outdoor water users. It is not intended to replace laboratory analysis or official monitoring.

Results should be viewed as a helpful snapshot of conditions at the time of testing.

SwimSense tests a range of water quality indicators that can help provide a quick snapshot of changing water conditions at the time of testing. Parameters may include pH, nitrates, nitrites, chlorine, metals, hardness, alkalinity, ammonia and other environmental indicators depending on the strip type.

No. SwimSense is not a bacteria or laboratory test and does not directly measure E. coli, enterococci, viruses or all contaminants.

However, certain elevated indicators — particularly ammonia, nitrates and nitrites — may sometimes suggest increased organic pollution, runoff, wastewater contamination or environmental conditions that can be associated with poorer water quality.

These readings do not confirm the presence of harmful bacteria, but they may indicate conditions where extra caution could be sensible, especially after heavy rainfall, sewage overflow events, flooding, or in stagnant water conditions.

Results should always be considered alongside local guidance, visible water conditions and personal judgement.

No natural water can ever be guaranteed completely safe. SwimSense is designed as an awareness and decision-support tool to help users better understand changing water conditions.

Results should always be considered alongside:

• 
  Local guidance
  
• 
  Weather and rainfall
  
• 
  Visible water conditions
  
• 
  Official warnings
  
• 
  Personal judgement

Yes. The SwimSense Field Test Kit can be used in rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Some parameters naturally behave differently in seawater, but the kit is designed to help build a broader understanding of current water conditions across a range of outdoor environments.

Open water conditions can change within hours due to:

• Heavy rainfall
  
• Agricultural runoff
  
• Sewage overflows
  
• Tides and currents
  
• Warm temperatures
  
• Wildlife activity
  
• Low water flow
  

This is why real-time indicator testing can be useful, especially after storms or in unfamiliar locations.