A microbial detection device, comprising: a water-proof pouch comprising: a first wall portion having an inner surface and an outer surface; a second wall portion having an inner surface and an outer surface; a porous membrane filter disposed in the pouch between the inner surface of the first wall portion and the inner surface of the second wall portion, the membrane filter having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; a first compartment defined in part by inner surface of the first wall portion and defined in part by the first major surface of the membrane filter; a sealable sample port that provides access to deposit a liquid into the first compartment; a second compartment defined in part by the inner surface of the second wall portion and defined in part by the second major surface of the membrane filter; wherein the membrane filter permits passage of aqueous liquids from the first compartment to the second compartment and prevents passage of particles of a predetermined size from the first compartment to the second compartment; a dry cold water-soluble gelling agent adhered to the pouch in the first compartment; and an absorbent pad disposed in the second compartment. wherein the absorbent pad of the second compartment is placed in overlaying contact with the membrane filter of the first compartment. a water-proof pouch comprising: a first wall portion having an inner surface and an outer surface; a second wall portion having an inner surface and an outer surface; a porous membrane filter disposed in the pouch between the inner surface of the first wall portion and the inner surface of the second wall portion, the membrane filter having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; a first compartment defined in part by inner surface of the first wall portion and defined in part by the first major surface of the membrane filter; a sealable sample port that provides access to deposit a liquid into the first compartment; a second compartment defined in part by the inner surface of the second wall portion and defined in part by the second major surface of the membrane filter; wherein the membrane filter permits passage of aqueous liquids from the first compartment to the second compartment and prevents passage of particles of a predetermined size from the first compartment to the second compartment; a first wall portion having an inner surface and an outer surface; a second wall portion having an inner surface and an outer surface; a porous membrane filter disposed in the pouch between the inner surface of the first wall portion and the inner surface of the second wall portion, the membrane filter having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; a first compartment defined in part by inner surface of the first wall portion and defined in part by the first major surface of the membrane filter; a sealable sample port that provides access to deposit a liquid into the first compartment; a second compartment defined in part by the inner surface of the second wall portion and defined in part by the second major surface of the membrane filter; wherein the membrane filter permits passage of aqueous liquids from the first compartment to the second compartment and prevents passage of particles of a predetermined size from the first compartment to the second compartment; a dry cold water-soluble gelling agent adhered to the pouch in the first compartment; and an absorbent pad disposed in the second compartment. wherein the absorbent pad of the second compartment is placed in overlaying contact with the membrane filter of the first compartment.