The BactiQuant is a new patented method that provides water companies and the industry with a rapid method to estimate total numbers of bacteria in water samples. The method is well suited for HACCP and Water Safety Plans in the industry and water distribution. With the BactiQuant, bacterial contaminants can be concentrated from large volumes of water allowing low analysis time (10-30 minutes) even at relatively low bacterial concentrations. The use of larger sample volumes (100-5000 ml) also ensures that samples are representative for the water system to be tested. The BactiQuant can be applied to a range of liquid samples including: Potable water, processed water, CIP (cleaning in place) and recreational water. Other liquids include: Liquid extracts of a solid material or slurries, suspended or solubilized surface samples and liquid industrial products.