Services

Sustainable Microbial Control

We remediate plumbing systems contaminated by biofilm-associated pathogens, such as Legionella. We help commission new and renovated buildings by disinfecting the potable water systems prior to beneficial occupancy. And we provide continuous supplemental disinfection of potable water systems. 

We provide turnkey services: we configure, install and maintain our purpose-built equipment. We supply all required treatment chemicals. We monitor equipment functions and levels of treatment chemicals 24/7. And we document everything we do, consistent with the record keeping requirements of ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2018, Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems. 

Background

Legionella and other environmental-source pathogenic (disease causing) microorganisms are present in most public water supplies, typically in very low or even undetectable concentrations. In the absence of control, conditions in building water systems may support significant growth of these pathogens. The microbial ecology of building water systems is primarily defined by biofilm, the slime layer found on all wet surfaces, including the inside walls of pipes and plumbing components. Plumbing biofilms are complex, dynamic microbial communities where most plumbing-associated pathogens flourish. The biofilms impair the effectiveness of most physical and chemical control methods. Legionella, Pseudomonas, and other clinically important pathogens are known to invade and replicate within protozoa that are associated with biofilms. While inside these protozoa, the bacteria are protected from chemical disinfectants and temperature extremes.

Establish Microbial Control

In order to establish microbial control in a building’s potable water system, we implement treatments designed specifically to remove established biofilm and inactivate (kill) biofilm-associated pathogens, including but not limited to Legionella. Our remedial treatment protocols are designed to minimize adverse effects on plumbing materials, such as elastomers and metals. For remedial treatment, we use a combination of chemicals, including the oxidizing biocides chlorine and chlorine dioxide, each of which is approved for drinking water. However, we apply the chemicals at concentrations higher than the regulatory limits established by EPA. Therefore, we take the affected portions of the potable water system out of service during treatment. After treatment is complete, we flush the system with clean, potable water and take measurements to confirm that levels of treatment chemicals are within acceptable limits.

Maintain Microbial Control

In order to maintain microbial control in a building’s potable water system, we first do the work necessary to understand the details of the plumbing—e.g., how the potable water is received, stored, heated, distributed and used. Working in close cooperation with the client’s facility management, maintenance staff and water consultants, we take physical and chemical measurements throughout the system—e.g., temperature, pH, and flow rates. This helps us identify growth supportive conditions and informs our recommendations. Based on what we learn, we design and implement a site-specific continuous supplemental disinfection protocol, most often with chlorine.