3D-Printed Device for Microbial Water Quality Testing

This thesis presents the design and validation of a low-cost, open-source, fully 3D-printable filtration manifold for quantifying E. coli in drinking water, addressing the high cost of commercial systems such as the Millipore EZ-Fit that limit water quality monitoring in low-resource settings. An iterative design process produced a base, funnel, and filter support optimized for support-free printing, watertightness, and compatibility with commercial funnels. Five printing materials (PLA, PETG, rPET, ABS, ASA) were compared for thermal and mechanical durability, with ABS performing best and rPET offering a sustainable alternative. Functional testing against the Millipore EZ-Fit showed agreement in 15 of 16 microbial risk classifications, demonstrating that the device offers a reliable, decentralized alternative for global drinking water quality monitoring.