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Early detection of microbial contaminants in reclaimed water was investigated using conductivity measurements of cultured samples. Culture data were obtained by using conductivity electronics and a personal computer equipped with an analog-digital converter and multiplexer. The software was programmed to monitor 54 cultures. The cultures were incubated for up to 48 hours at 35°C. The real-time conductivity data obtained from these cultured samples produces curves comprised of multiple data points over time. Using laboratory cultures for conductivity measurements, growth was detected within 12-24 hours with inocula in the range of less than 100 to 105 colony forming units per ml (CFU/ml). Detection times ranged from 20-35 hours for reclaimed water samples, and bacteria in untreated waste-waters were detected in 2-15 hours.