Water Quality

North Star Water Treatment Systems, a preferred water treatment systems provider to professional contractors through plumbing wholesale, launched a major brand overhaul this week. The effort was initiated to completely update the brand’s image and logo in order to better reflect its industry leading technology and expanding product offering. The company has been known as Read more

North Star Water Treatment Systems, a preferred water treatment systems provider to professional contractors through plumbing wholesale, launched a major brand overhaul this week. The effort was initiated to completely update the brand’s image and logo in order to better reflect its industry leading technology and expanding product offering. The company has been known as North Star Water Conditioning since its inception in 1992.

“We felt it was high time for our brand to better convey our modern technology and broader product portfolio,” comments Dave Duren, director of sales and marketing for North Star Water Treatment Systems. “Our old branding was too limiting and didn’t properly reflect the advanced technologies built into our products. And while plumbers and wholesalers have enjoyed our point-of-entry water softeners for many years, they haven’t always been aware that we also offer a dramatically expanding line of drinking water filtration and other products.”

 

The company plans to launch more than 50 new SKUs during the first six months of the year, including new POU filtration products, in-line whole home filtration and a new commercial water softener line, among others. The products will launch in phases beginning in February. “The plumbing channel has always loved our cutting-edge products and asked us to develop a broader line. We are answering their request in a major way,” Duren explains.

Wholesalers, contractors and consumers will see the new branding replace the older logos and images throughout the next few months. “We’re upgrading our product packaging, marketing collateral, website, you name it,” says Duren. “We want everyone to know us as North Star Water Treatment Systems and recognize our longevity and reliability.”

Located in Woodbury, Minnesota, North Star Water Treatment Systems is the professionals’ choice for water treatment and is distributed exclusively through plumbing wholesale. A member of the Marmon Water family and part of Berkshire Hathaway, the company has been manufacturing water treatment products since 1925. Marmon Water is the largest manufacturer of water treatment systems in the world.

The Solution to a Major Problem Lurking in Hydronic Heating Systems As the popularity of high-performance circulators and boilers increases, the very characteristics that are responsible for that increased level of performance are bringing a new problem to the forefront: iron oxide sludge, also called magnetite. This black sludge, an unavoidable result of oxidation inside untreated Read more

The Solution to a Major Problem Lurking in Hydronic Heating Systems

As the popularity of high-performance circulators and boilers increases, the very characteristics that are responsible for that increased level of performance are bringing a new problem to the forefront: iron oxide sludge, also called magnetite. This black sludge, an unavoidable result of oxidation inside untreated hydronic systems, is wreaking havoc in the form of expensive breakdowns and repairs.

To combat the problem, ADEY, a U.K.-based company launched in 2003, is bringing its proven solution to North America. ADEY’s MagnaClean Professional2™ features a unique, patented magnetic and non-magnetic filtration system that, within minutes of installation, begins to capture and remove virtually all of the suspended iron oxide that collects in hydronic heating systems.

Designed for ¾-inch copper and 1-inch NPT iron pipework, the MagnaClean Professional2 is ideal for residential applications. The MagnaClean Professional2 is a compact unit that is easily fitted on the return pipe to the boiler/circulator, via rapid-fit connectors. It can be installed in minutes, and can be serviced even faster, due to the unit’s quick-release trigger, low-profile drain valve, and built-in air vent.

By removing magnetic and non-magnetic debris, MagnaClean Professional2 not only extends the operational life of the hydronic system, but also offers benefits that save money and time for installers and homeowners.

 

This efficient, passive water filtering system is poised to replace older disinfection methods. US Water Systems, a trusted water treatment systems provider, has announced a revolutionary new water disinfection system. The Silecte™ quantum disinfection system uses an exclusive elemental P-type semiconductor technology to kill 99.99% of bacteria and other microorganisms in water, including E. coli Read more

This efficient, passive water filtering system is poised to replace older disinfection methods.

US Water Systems, a trusted water treatment systems provider, has announced a revolutionary new water disinfection system. The Silecte™ quantum disinfection system uses an exclusive elemental P-type semiconductor technology to kill 99.99% of bacteria and other microorganisms in water, including E. coli and P. aeruginosa. This breakthrough new water disinfection media requires no electricity and adds no chemicals to the water, making it one of the safest, most cost-effective systems available.

“Silecte™ Quantum Disinfection is the future of disinfection and the future is now!” says Mark Timmons, WQA Master Water Specialist and owner of US Water Systems. “This system should transcend chlorination, ozone, and ultraviolet as the most powerful disinfection process available.” Applications for Silecte™ water disinfection are far ranging, from small inline filters that can easily be added to existing residential water filtration systems, to column, vortex, or weir-based installations for laboratory, commercial and municipal purposes.

Quantum disinfection works completely unlike other disinfection methods, removing the electrons of bacteria and other microorganisms and killing them completely. Silecte™ also works quickly, needing just 0.01 seconds of contact time, requires little maintenance, and offers proven results. Testing by the U.S. Environmental Protection Association (EPA), NSF International, and other third-party agencies prove the effectiveness of Silecte™ X3 media. Please visit http://silecte.com for more information. US Water Systems is the master distributor of Silecte™ systems in the United States.

About US Water Systems

With decades of experience in the water treatment industry, US Water Systems manufactures a wide selection of water treatment solutions for both residential and commercial applications. Their experienced sales and service team is made up of former systems installers and water treatment technicians who provide trusted support to customers 6 days a week. Founder Mark Timmons, MWS, CI, CWR, has worked as a water industry expert for more than 40 years, and is one of the highest certified and longest tenured Certified Water Specialists by the Water Quality Association (WQA). For more information, please visit https://www.uswatersystems.com.

Much has already been said about the safety improvements homeowners and business owners can anticipate by switching from traditional water heaters to tankless models. Usually the discussions have revolved around the half a million scald or burn incidents happening every year, many caused by overheated tap water from an old or uncalibrated water heater. According Read more

Much has already been said about the safety improvements homeowners and business owners can anticipate by switching from traditional water heaters to tankless models.

Usually the discussions have revolved around the half a million scald or burn incidents happening every year, many caused by overheated tap water from an old or uncalibrated water heater. According to the Burn Foundation, more than one-sixth of all childhood hospitalizations from scalds happen because of hot tap water.

That said, another threat endangers those who use both residential and commercial tank heaters: Legionnaires’ disease. What causes Legionnaires’ bacteria to grow and how can traditional tank heaters put your home or business at risk?

“Legionella grow in still warm water.”

What is Legionnaire’s disease?

Legionnaires’ disease is actually a body of diseases – more than 43 according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration – all caused by the same bacteria called Legionella. This pathogen grows in still warm water. If inhaled through water vapor, these bacteria could cause fever, pneumonia, comas and even death.

So, how does a standard hot water tank turn into a Petri dish for Legionella? Unfortunately, a few different ways.

How can hot water tanks produce Legionella?

Fiddling with hot water tank temperatures for energy efficiency gains could set off a chain reaction producing Legionella. Many energy experts, including the U.S. Department of Energy, recommend setting hot water tanks to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to shave a few bucks off a home gas bill. Unfortunately, Legionella can survive that temperature and prosper. OSHA recommends keeping tanks at 140 degrees, which effectively neutralizes Legionella-infected water, but hot water at that temperature could easily scald children or seniors with sensitive skin. Either way, water tank owners lose.

“Sediment collecting in water tank can encourage Legionella growth.”

Sediment collecting at the bottom of a dilapidated water tank can also encourage Legionella growth. If tank owners neglect to flush their systems at least once a year to rid systems of calcium carbonate buildup – common in areas with high water hardness – and other debris, Legionella could develop with time.

Legionella also breeds in pipes where stagnant hot water cools below that 120-degree mark. As hot water trapped between a water tank to a faucet or tap cools, it becomes more and more susceptible to infection.

Fight disease with tankless water heaters for your home

Tankless water heaters provide a number of solutions for these problems. First and foremost, automated technology controls hot water temperatures right at the source, so it’s always the perfect temperature: warm enough to prevent waterborne disease, cool enough to avoid scalds and energy-efficient enough to keep monthly bills low.

Point-of-use tankless water heaters not only forego the large cylindrical basin where Legionella can grow, but also reduce the piping needed to deliver water from a utility to the faucet, thus eliminating another threat. Water moves directly from the public system, into the home and right to the tap where it’s heated on demand

.If your hot water heater isn’t working for you, it’s working against you. Choose tankless models to prevent the spread of Legionella, protect your family from overheated water and save money on your energy bill.

Source: Does your hot water heater protect you from Legionnaires’ disease?

A previous article, “Microorganisms in Plumbing Systems”, warned that under certain conditions microorganisms can grow out-of-control in plumbing systems. When this happens, a “biofilm” of microorganisms and acidic enzymes that they secrete can become attached to pipe walls (Figure 1). This can lead to: Increased metals concentration (such as copper, iron, and lead) in the Read more

A previous article, “Microorganisms in Plumbing Systems”, warned that under certain conditions microorganisms can grow out-of-control in plumbing systems. When this happens, a “biofilm” of microorganisms and acidic enzymes that they secrete can become attached to pipe walls (Figure 1). This can lead to:

  • Increased metals concentration (such as copper, iron, and lead) in the drinking water that comes in contact with the affected pipe
  • Pitting and pinhole leaks in metal pipe
  • Increased possibility of water-borne illnesses from microorganisms that are toxic to humans

Stagnating or slow moving water with inadequate disinfection allows microorganisms to grow rapidly. Microorganisms also need surface area to attach to – the more surface area, the more colonies of microorganisms can attach and grow.

This article identifies critical locations in a plumbing system where microbiological growth and biofilm formation tend to start. These locations are important to keep in mind as methods to prevent microbiological growth are discussed in future articles.

 PRS Biofilm Pipe high res white background

Biofilm in a Residential Copper Pipe
The light coating on the pipe in Figure 1 is a biofilm. Not all biofilms look like this. But, the one in Figure 1 is smooth, thick, and tightly adhered to the pipe wall. 

The Water Source

A biofilm problem in a building can start with the water source. The water can carry microorganisms into a building’s plumbing system. If conditions are right in the plumbing system, the microorganism population will grow.

When private wells are a building’s water source, microorganisms can enter the well in the groundwater which has had contact with the surrounding soil and sometimes with surface water that has percolated down into the aquifer. Once in the well, microorganisms can form biofilms and attach to screens, casings, and piping. For this reason, wells should be cleaned periodically with high concentrations of chlorine solution. This is called shock chlorination and usually involves a solution of 200 to 300 mg/L free chlorine held in the well for twenty-four hours. Well owners may not realize the importance of this cleaning procedure and may neglect to have it done.

For buildings with water provided by a municipal or community water system, microorganisms are present in the water to varying degrees. In the drinking water industry, the emphasis is on microorganisms that are toxic to humans and can cause illness. However, the absence of illness-causing microorganisms in a water system does not mean that other microorganisms are not thriving. The lowest presence of microorganisms is found in municipal or community water systems where disinfection concentrations are maintained at effective levels and monitored throughout the distribution system. There are some water systems where disinfection is not maintained sufficiently and some where no disinfection is added at all. In those systems, the presence of microorganisms entering a building can be quite high. 

The Water Service Line

A building is connected to a water source by means of a water service line. This can be piping between a building and a privately-owned well; or, it can be piping between a building and a water main in a municipal or community water distribution system. The longer that water stays in the water service line, the more likely it is that microorganisms will form biofilms on the pipe walls. This can lead to microbiologically influenced corrosion of the water service line with the effect of increasing metal concentrations in drinking water or creating leaks through holes in the pipe wall. Microorganisms from the biofilms can also be carried away by the passing water and taken into the building’s plumbing system to start new colonies.

Point of Entry Water Treatment

Water treatment is sometimes installed in buildings just as the water piping enters the building. This is called “point of entry” water treatment. Any water treatment device should be considered a critical location for microbiological growth in a water system for three reasons:

  1. Many water treatment devices include tanks that hold a large volume of water. Depending on water usage in the building, water might stay in a water treatment tank for an extended period of time. This long residence time in slow moving water allows for the growth of microorganisms.
  1. Along with the large volume of water in water treatment devices comes increased surface area. Many water treatment tanks are filled with particles that perform the water treatment, where the higher the surface area of the particle, the better the treatment. Examples of such particles are sand, ion-exchange resin beads, and granular activated carbon. The increased surface area gives great advantage to the attachment of microorganisms and the development of biofilms.
  1. Any disinfection in the water that enters most water treatment devices is removed in the device. The disinfection might be removed because that may be the purpose of the water treatment device, like granular activated carbon filters. It might also be removed because the disinfection is used up fighting microorganisms that have already taken up residence in the device. With the disinfection gone, downstream piping is no longer protected against the microorganisms that are carried out of the water treatment device in the flowing water.

Water Softeners

Water softening is a type of water treatment device. It is typically installed farther downstream from the building’s point of entry, but all of the problems of microbiological growth discussed above affect water softeners.

In areas of the country where water high in calcium carbonate (also called “hard” water) is used, water softeners are needed to keep calcium carbonate out of hot water systems. This is because calcium carbonate can fall out of the water as solid particles that build up on heating surfaces. The energy required to transfer heat from the heating surface through the increasing layer of calcium carbonate and into the water becomes greater and greater. Therefore, it is more cost effective to remove the calcium carbonate before it enters the hot water system.

Unfortunately, if microbiological growth has occurred significantly in a water softener, the hot water system downstream receives microorganisms in the water and no disinfection to fight them.

Hot Water Systems

Hot water systems have some additional characteristics that encourage the growth of microorganisms. For example, if the storage tank is oversized for routine water usage, water is in the tank for an extended time, creating the conditions for microbiological growth. An oversized hot water storage tank is installed when there is an infrequent but large demand for hot water, such as for filling a large bathtub. When the tub is not in use, water has a long residence time in the tank making it prone to microbiological growth.

For large buildings, hot water recirculation systems are typically used so that hot water will be immediately received at each faucet, no matter how far away from the hot water storage tank. The recirculation system contributes to microbiological growth by adding more residence time and surface area to the plumbing system. It also helps to spread microorganisms from an infected site to other sites that have not yet been infected.

Point of Use Water Treatment

Water treatment devices at or near faucets are referred to as “point of use” water treatment. The same issues of microbiological growth can occur on those devices as discussed above. The good news is that there is little to no piping downstream of the device that can be affected by microbiological growth. The bad news is that the consumer is directly downstream of these devices. For this reason, the manufacturers’ instructions on equipment cleaning and replacement of filters must be followed closely.

Faucets

Biofilms can form upstream and inside faucets as with any surface area in a plumbing system. Faucets and associated upstream plumbing that are reached a long time after the water has entered the building have a greater potential for microbiological growth. Faucets and associated upstream plumbing that are used infrequently also have a greater potential for microbiological growth.

Summary

In a plumbing system, the conditions of water stagnation, high surface area, and lack of disinfection contribute to the possibility that significant microbiological growth and biofilm formation can occur.

This article has discussed critical locations in a plumbing system where microbiological growth and biofilm formation tend to start, beginning at the water source and continuing through the water service line, point of entry water treatment, water softening, hot water system, point of use water treatment, and faucets. These locations are important to keep in mind as methods to prevent microbiological growth are discussed in future articles.

ABOUT AUTHOR

Abigail F. Cantor, P.E., Chemical Engineer

Process Research Solutions, LLC
PO Box 5593
Madison, WI 53705

www.processresearch.net
Phone: 608.233.3911
Email: info@processresearch.net

Process Research Solutions, LLC is an engineering consulting firm specializing in water quality investigations for drinking water and industrial process water.

The company has also developed tools and protocols to proactively monitor and control water quality, lowering the chances of developing serious and expensive issues in water systems.

Data management computer software, My Monitoring Data®, has been developed by Process Research Solutions, LLC so that water quality and water system data can be quickly interpreted and utilized.