Facility Legionella Prevention

“Fully automated copper silver ionisation “PID” controllers to fitany Legionella prevention or remediation project for facility potable water environments.”

Experts agree that Legionella bacteria related health issues are mostly associated to larger facility potable water distribution networks.

Commercial, Medical and Military Building Legionella Prevention:

Legionella presence within a facility potable water network commonly become problematic in new or older buildings.  For the most part, this is attributed to the lack of use of secondary water treatment technology such as the larger commercial type copper silver ionisation.

Legionella outbreaks are reported continually and are regularly attributed to facility potable water having no secondary water treatment program in place.  Some reports are also linked to poorly maintained existing secondary water treatment. In fact, when secondary water treatment technology units are not maintained properly as required by the manufacturing company, the risks associated to a potential bacterial outbreak is just as great as not having any technology installed.

The key in preventing Legionella related outbreaks is by implementing health and safety protocols that includes a reliable commercial size copper silver ionisation secondary potable water treatment solution within the facility.

Why Secondary Water Treatment for Facility Potable Water Legionella Prevention?

When “secondary” facility potable water treatment technology is installed, technology such as the the ProCare copper silver ionisation technology with provide the tools to lower the risk of Legionella bacteria growth. Secondary facility water treatment is key in the success of prevention or remediating the presence of Legionella bacteria.

Proven Legionella Prevention Results
100% of ProCare installations in facilities such as: healthcare facilities, hotels, nursing homes and office buildings have all shown a reduction in Legionella presence. In fact, 3rd party validation laboratory results demonstrate “bellow detection limits” of Colony Forming Units(CFU) within 45 days or less in locations where Legionella bacteria had previous counts well over acceptable Department of Health (DOH) levels.

Engineered for Larger Building Facilities
ProCare’s  “Medical, Commercial or Military grade” copper silver ionisation technology are installed in facility potable water networks (100% potable or domestic hot water only) where daily water usage volumes can reach up to 4.3 million GPD.

For over a decade, ProCare’s copper silver ionisation systems have proven globally to lower Legionella bacteria counts and the resulting exposure risks within facility potable water networks.

Larger Commercial vs. Single Dwelling Residential
Most larger buildings have complex potable water distribution networks. Hotels, healthcare, larger office buildings, apartment blocks, large condo buildings, high rise buildings, schools and government buildings are considered, for the most part, at higher risk of Legionella bacteria presence when compared to smaller residential structures (houses) who lack these complex water networks. (Note: Residential houses can be at risk of Leigonella growth. This is especially true when potable water use is low or that the dwelling is vacant for extended periods of time (water stagnation). It is also true in dwellings where hot water heater temperatures (EX: electrical or gas hot water tanks) have water temperatures to bellow the manufacturers  safety set point (normally 60C / 140F).

Legionella and Municipal Potable Water Treatment 
Industry experts know and understand that Legionella bacteria is not fully eradicated by municipal potable water treatment plants (primary water treatment). Water contamination from the water treatment plant to the end user is a common issue for Legionella bacteria that requires higher chlorine concentrations to erradicate. It is up industry experts and facility owners / managers to implement preventative “secondary” water treatment technologies. AquaLyse® copper silver ionisation technology lowers the risks of Legionella bacteria presence and the accosted exposure risks.

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Healthcare Legionella Prevention

“ProCare Water Treatment Inc.’s (Medical Grade) copper silver ionisation technology has a proven track record going back over a decade to control and help prevent facility related Legionella growth with potable water distribution networks.”

No matter if you are a small, medium or large hospital facility, a Healthcare Legionella Prevention program should be implemented into your public safety protocols as soon as potable.

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  Legionella Prevention with Copper Silver Ionisation

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  Legionella Prevention with Copper Silver Ionisation

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  Hospital Legionella Prevention Copper Silver Ionisation

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  Healthcare Copper Silver Ionization Legionella Prevention

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  Legionella Prevention with Copper Silver Ionisation

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Regardless of where you are in the world, facility potable water Legionella growth and nosocomial infections is a reality that needs to be addresses by facility owners, managers, engineers and infection control personnel.

Infection control personnel and/or facility management have everything to gain by taking into account, and installing, a ProCare manufactured copper silver ionisation unit and making it part of their long term Legionella prevention protocols.

Healthcare Copper Silver Ionisation with Power

For over a decade, ProCare has been manufacturing and installing copper silver ionisation solutions. Intended for healthcare legionella prevention, the larger technology models offer up to 160 amps @ 180 VDC “fully automated” variable and adaptive output performance.

This type of engineering provides the necessary “punch” required for any size healthcare potable water networks (including extremely extremely large and complex buildings) and at any daly water consumption rates or volumes. (Project specific parameters in aspects of overall facility engineering and water consumption will guide a water treatment expert in aspects of the number of required ionisation chamber cells installed and the amount of power (amps) required for each application.)

Medical grade copper silver ionisation chamber cells by ProCare Water Treatment Inc., combined with a fully automated “PID” controllers, will prove to be one of the best water treatment technologies to include in a healthcare facility potable water related Legionella prevention program.

Why should ProCare’s copper silver ionisation be your No.1 Choice for facility potable water Legionella prevention or remediation?

When you take the time to evaluate all of the secondary water treatment technologies used for Legionella prevention or remediation, certain key items might not be 100% clear or even omitted by the competition. This is why we provide you with the following “quick-list” of things you should take into account when choosing a ProCare copper silver ionisation solution.

• Manufactured in North-America for over a decade,
• Capable of treating multiple DHW loops “independently” in a common mechanical room with one powerful controller,
• Up to 50% more affordable without any engineering compromises,
• Service contracts are not required to operate or maintain a copper silver ionisation system and will drasticly reduce your operational cost,
• On-site chemical storage is not required making your mechanical room(s) and overall facility safer from chemical exposure risks,
• Smaller technology footprint than any other type secondary water treatment leaving room for other items or technologies to be installed,
• Very easy to install (both plumbing and electrical can take less than a few hours depending on the model size),
• Extremely easy to maintain (as little as 15 minutes per month can keep the smaller units fully operational without worry),
• Extremely stable and reliable controllers compared to most chemical type technologies and thus, require less servicing and practically no down time,
• Provides secure real time monitoring and management, via the use of integrated computer software from any computer with internet access. This is ideal when multiple units are installed at various locations within wether the same facility or in a network of buildings.
• Easy and quick to perform field water testing to validate technology performance,
• Complimentary “Secure” on-line data logging and reporting,
• No dangerous chemical byproducts to monitor,

The ProCare copper silver ionisation “PLC” variable controller delivers a reliable and robust technology engineered specifically for the medical, military, commercial and hospitality facilities world wide.

ProCare manufactures copper silver ionisation technology engineered to be reliable, affordable and perform under any potable water volumes and conditions. Guaranteed!

Documentation is Key: Additional copper silver ionisation technology features provided by ProCare includes water sample data record keeping and reporting.

All past and new ProCare copper silver ionisation technology users now benefit from the unique online Portal-Hub system. This complimentary online service, uniquely offered to ProCare users,  is designed to document and maintain the best available preventative measures in various data delivery formats such as PDF files, interactive spreadsheets and much more. A wonderful and reliable data logging and reporting feature that should always be included in any facility potable water Legionella prevention program.

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Looking for additional information? Save Time and Energy on Research! 

In just a few minutes, you can create a free Portal-Hub account to gain access to key Legionella related document resources. 

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Copper Silver Ionisation Facts:

ProCare copper silver ion generators are engineered for large facility potable water distribution networks.

ProCare manufactures copper silver ionisation technology that includes a
fully integrated on-line Portal-Hub for easy data reporting, client support, data processing and other key industry tools to help the end user, vendors and industry professionals with their Legionella related objectives,

ProCare Water Treatment Inc. copper silver ion generators can operate in all liquid water temperatures  and pressures of over 800PSI for both domestic hot and cold water distribution networks.

ProCare Water Treatment Inc. manufactured 46 different sizes of copper silver ionisation units to accommodate anywhere from less than 10,000 GPD to over 4.3 million GPD of new potable water usage per day.

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Nursing Homes

Nursing Home potable water  distribution networks, including the domestic hot water loops (DHW), are known to be among the most susceptible to a Legionellagrowth, cause of Legionnaires’ Disease.

ProCare’s copper silver ionisation technology are manufactured and installed to provide long term Nursing Home Legionella Prevention in potable water distribution networks.

ProCare’s Nursing Home Legionella Prevention Benefits:

• 100% discreet for the facility occupants,
• Easy to use and maintain with computer controls & monitoring,
• 100% biofilm penetration, (kills where it grows),
• Up to 66% less expensive compared to short term technologies, (Cl2 & Thermal)
• Up to 80% less service contract fees compared to ClO2 (Chlorine Dioxide)
• 0% use of Ammonia or other dangerous chemicals, (Monochlorimines requires Ammonia)
• 0% pipe corrosion,
• 0% dangerous byproduct creation (Unlike ClO2),
• 0% byproduct monitoring required (Unlike ClO2),
• Ideal for existing or new facilities,
• Fast and easy installation using standard off the shelf plumbing,
• 0% pipe corrosion,
• Higher potable water temperatures does not affect the ProCare ionisation chamber cells,

New Facility Projects?
RAFCO provides MEP engineering consultants with the best and most experienced in-house  experts for facility potable water technology guidance in the industry. The ProCare Portal-Hub.com provides industry experts with all of the online tools and resources required to properly evaluate a facility’s requirements and pinpoint the best copper silver ionisation model to fit their unique project.

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Hotels & Resorts

ProCare manufactures and installs globally  commercial size Copper Silver Ionisation for Hotel Legionella prevention within potable water distribution networks.

With ProCare’s copper silver ionisation, you get a potable water treatment technology that is:

• Discreet and affordable,
• Provides 100% biofilm penetration, (kills Legionella where it grows)
• 55% smaller footprint than ClO2 (Chlorine Dioxide),
• 66% less expensive compared to short term technologies, (Cl2 & Thermal)
• 0% use of Ammonia or other dangerous chemicals, (Monochloramines)
• 30 days or less full Legionella remediation,
• 0% pipe corrosion,
• 0% byproduct monitoring required (Unlike ClO2)
• Ideal for existing hotel and resort facilities, (retro-fits)
• Ideal for MEP engineering consultants with new hotel design stage projects,
• Installation is fast and easy using standard plumbing,
• 0% pipe corrosion,
• Higher potable water temperatures does not affect ProCare’s technology .

Hospitality Public Relation Facts:
Image and service is everything when it comes to hotels and resorts. Without a good image and reputation, these facilities face on-going public relation difficulties and the resulting low occupancy rates. In order to avoid any unfortunate potable water related public relations and safety issues, facility occupant public health protocols must be among the top priorities for hospitality business owners and managers.

Hotel Legionella Prevention – Copper Silver Ionisation Features Include:

• AquaLyse ® include full remote computer access,
• AquaLyse ® include full remote computer monitoring,
• 100% interface into any BMS system,
• Recognized by: The EPA, CDC, WHO, HSE and many other public health authorities,
• Over 25 years on the market worldwide,
• AquaLyse ® “HFM” models for 100% for total facility potable water,
• AquaLyse ® “HFS” models for domestic hot water (DHW) loops,
• AquaLyse ® “HM” models for “multi-zone” DHW solutions,
• Over 46 AquaLyse ® copper silver units to chose from,
• Very easy to install & maintain,
• Engineered for facility potable water (not swimming pools)
• Has a 20+ year Legionella control track record,
• Includes remote monitoring,
• Meets all fire and plumbing codes,(Unlike PVC or CPVC)
• Meets all electrical safety codes,
• Provides full computer control telemetry & data logging,
• Chamber cell water pressures of up to 820PSI at any liquid temperatures, (Unlike PVC or CPVC).

Silver Ionization is not enough to control Legionella. Both Copper and Silver ions are required. ProCare Water Treatment Inc. is known to prevent and control the risk of Legionella related facility contamination. Many hotels and resorts around the world have introduced copper silver ionisation water treatment technology as part of their overall water quality control program. Additional to providing safe and affordable water treatment technology, ProCare is known to also lower facility energy costs associated to domestic hot water operational temperatures.

Why is copper silver ionisation required in hotels?

With the aging population and rise in traveling frequencies, Legionella prevention protocols are more important now than ever.

Domestic hot and/or cold potable water distribution networks are all susceptible to Legionella bacteria growth and propagation. Legionella bacteria is known to cause of Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia that can kill up to 50% of those who contract the disease.

Whether you are the facility owner, manager or facility engineer, when dealing with controllable environmental factors, you are responsible for the overall safety and wellness of the building occupants.

Hotel related Legionella, (AKA Traveler’s Legionnaires) and the resulting deaths have been recoded over the years. In most instances, Legionella bacteria, cause of Legionnaires’ Disease or Pontiac fever, was found in the facility potable water networks.

By becoming pro-active in your water treatment program and installing an AquaLyse® copper silver ionisation systems, you will minimize the Legionella related health issues which is commonly found in hotel facilities around the world.

Health Canada Guidelines

The following Health Canada Legionella Prevention Guide publication titled “Guidance on Waterborne Bacterial Pathogens” was published in February of 2013. It contains information pertaining to facility potable water Legionella control and prevention technologies.

Within the guideline document, on pages 12 and 13 (PDF pages 18 & 19), various potable water treatment technologies are mentioned and commented upon.

As a result of this Health Canada Legionella Prevention Guide, the following facts should be taken into consideration when evaluating facility potable water Legionella prevention technologies.

“…the presence of Legionella becomes a problem only when they are able to grow to high numbers in water systems such as showers, cooling towers or whirlpool baths that generate aerosols or sprays.”

” General recommendations regarding the control of Legionella in domestic plumbing systems involve maintaining proper water temperatures. The National Plumbing Code of Canada includes requirements of a minimum water temperature of 60°C in hot water storage tanks, to address the growth of Legionella (NRCC, 2010). Where increased hot water temperatures create an increased risk of scalding for vulnerable groups (e.g., children and the elderly), appropriate safety measures should be applied to limit the temperature to 49°C….”

Copper Silver Ionisation: PDF: Page 19 (Papper: Page 13) – √

• “…Use of copper–silver ionization systems has also received much study and has shown effectiveness in controlling Legionella in drinking water supplies (Stout et al., 1998; Kusnetsov et al., 2001; Stout and Yu, 2003; Cachafeiro et al., 2007). Stout et al. (1998)…”
• “…more effective than a superheat-and-flush method in reducing the recovery of Legionella from a hospital plumbing/distribution system…”
• “…the percentages of hospitals reporting (1) cases of Legionnaires’ disease and (2) positive Legionella samples at more than 30% of the sites measured had both been reduced to 0% from 100% and 47%, respectively, before the systems had been installed.”
• “… pretreatment may be required to address pH” Note: This is true when potable water pH is over 8.7

Hyperchorination (Cl2): PDF: Page 18 (Papper: Page 12)

• “… Legionella residing in biofilms or in cysts of Acanthamoeba polyphaga can survive following exposure to free chlorine at 50 mg/L…”
• “… concern of an increased potential for corrosion of plumbing systems with continued high concentrations of chlorine (Kool et al., 1999). “

Monochlorimine: PDF: Page 18 (Papper: Page 12)

• “…Monochlorimines are more effective than chlorine…”
• “…there was no indication of a decrease in L. pneumophila at the point of use (Pryor et al., 2004).”

Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2) : PDF: Page 18 (Papper: Page 12)

• “…demonstrated similar advantages over chlorine as a residual disinfectant for Legionella control when applied to a small distribution system…”

Thermal Eradication : PDF: Page 18 (Papper: Page 12)

• “…routinely employed either on its own or in conjunction with chemical disinfection.”
• “…recognized as a temporary control strategy, as Legionella recolonization can occur within weeks to months of treatment (Storey et al., 2004).”

Ozone (O3) : PDF: Page 18 (Papper: Page 12)

• “…more effective disinfectant against Legionella than chlorine …”
• “…main drawback is that it does not provide a disinfectant residual (U.S. EPA, 1999b; Kim et al., 2002; Blanc et al., 2005)”

This publication may be reproduced without permission provided the source is fully
acknowledged.
Pub. Number: 130469
Cat.: H129-25/1-2014E-PDF
ISBN: 978-1-100-22966-9

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Observational Conclusion: 

From the information presented in the “Guidance on Waterborne Bacterial Pathogens”, Copper Silver Ionisation seems to be the most reliable form of potable water treatment technology when Legionella prevention or control is required in a facility potable water distribution network.

It should be noted that there are various types of copper silver ionisation technologies on the market. Only the larger “Medical, Commercial or Military” type copper silver ionisation units, engineered for Legionella prevention within potable water distribution systems, should be considered for such an application.

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History of Ionization

Relatively speaking, electrically generated copper silver ionisation has an interesting and long track record.

The copper silver ionisation history goes back 70+ years. Since then, some “smart” electricity base copper silver ionisation technology have evolved.

Modern larger medical, military and commercials type copper silver ionisation units, such as those manufactured by ProCare Water Treatment Inc., are now capable of treating up to 4.5 million gallons of new potable water per day. (Volume capacity based on ionisation controller size)

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Copper Silver Ionisation History – In the Beginning

According to numerous online references on copper silver ionisation history, the technology was originally introduced by NASA during the 1940’s.

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Copper Silver Ionisation History – The Swimming Pool Era

Approximately 20 years later, the first residential type copper silver ion generators appeared on the market. Intended to treat relatively small and stagnant bodies of water such as swimming pools, spas and ornamental fountains, these very small copper (or copper-silver) ionisation units are still sold around the world today. These swimming pool type ionisation units had and still have a fix voltage output. Some might have a potentiometer capable of a very limited output capacity (i.e. 12, 24 or 48 VDC @ 250ma to 6 amps). Although ideal for algaecide and limited bactericide properties when installed in swimming pool, some manufacturing companies have attempted to install these small units within facility potable water distribution networks. Unfortunately for the users, these swimming pool type ionisation units  fail within a few weeks because of their limitations both in output potential, no automation, very small electrodes and no self adjusting VDC outputs. Their relative cost varies from $150 to  $4,950 depending on the size and manufacturing company.

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Copper Silver Ionisation History – The 1990s

In the late 1990’s, larger commercial type ionisation units started to appear on the market.

Most of these units offered limited automation features yet did include a more powerful self-adjusting output capacity of up to 100 VDC and @ up to 12 amps.

These larger units, normally using solid state electronic circuit boards, offered (still do) a maximum amperage output capacity of 12 amps total per controller.

One chamber cell per controller is typically used to push up to 10.0 amps depending on the VAC source (100 – 240VAC).

If 2 or 3 ionisation chamber cells are connected to the same controller, the total controller output remains up to 10.0 amps MAX yet divided into each respective cells.  5.0 amps each cell for 2 cells in parallel to each other of or 3.3 amps for three (3) installed chamber cells. This drop in available amperage capacity results in a less performing unit with limited water treatment capacity.

Most of these older type controllers, still sold on the market today, normally require an electrical power source of 100-120 VAC.

The startup cost for these older type units can range from $19,950 (USD) up to $99,500 (USD) each solution depending on the controller size, number of chamber cells installed and manufacturing company.

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Copper Silver Ionisation History – Smart Tech 2002

In 2002 came along ProCare Water Treatment Inc. for facility potable water Legionella control and prevention.

ProCare Water Treatment Inc. appeared with 80% more power than any other copper silver ionisation unit on the market with a 180 VDC fully automated variable drives.

Combined with up to 40 amps output capacity at the time (2002 models), ProCare controllers where capable of connecting up to four (4) individually controlled chamber cells per controller. Each chamber cell would receive up to 10 amps.

ProCare was setting new performance standards in the industry. It offered more powerful controllers engineered to deal with all types of water conditions including extremely high or extremely low water conductivity environments.

Since then, Procare Water Treatment Inc. has manufactured the 10th generation ProCare controllers. These latest 2014 units, launched in October 2014, include three (3) classifications of the most powerful copper-silver ionisation technology on the market.

The largest ProCare copper silver ionisation unit is capable of delivering 160 amps to 16 individual copper silver ionisation chamber cells. All of this performance is carefully put together into a very powerful fully automated controller manufactured by ProCare Water Treatment Inc. in Canada.

The truth about ProCare Copper Silver Ionisation is in the engineering!

“ProCare’s is verifiably the most sophisticated and powerful copper silver technology available on the market today. We invite head to head engineering comparison with any other copper silver ionisation manufacturer or brands in the industry.”

The core copper silver ionisation technology is a time tested and proven medical, commercial and military grade ionisation process that generates positively charged copper and silver ions into facility potable water distribution networks.

Copper silver ionisation technology is scientifically and field tested to provide long term Legionella  growth prevention within facility potable water distribution networks. 

Used world wide within the medical industry, hospitality and military facilities, ProCare has been installed and used for over a decade in facility water distribution networks for: 1- (DHW) Legionella control and prevention within domestic hot water loops only or 2- (100% H20) total Legionella control and prevention application in-line for 100% of a facility’s potable water.

ProCare is the only technology in the world to offer 46 very powerful and unique medical, military or commercial grade ion generators that meets each particular unique engineering situation.

The technology startup ranges from $17,950 to $249,500 depending on water treatment capacity requirements, automation features, software version, BMS interface configurations and the type of water treatment application.

ProCare copper silver ionisation technology comes with 10 year limited warranty on the controllers and also includes a 10 year shelf-life storage warranty on the ion chamber cells.

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Tech Advantages & Limits

• These are general Legionella prevention water treatment technology facts of various facility potable water treatment solutions.
• Some of these solutions are commonly used for Legionella control and prevention within facility potable water distribution networks.
• We encourage the reader to get the facts that surrounds sort term vs. long terms Legionella control and prevention.

 

Long-Term Legionella Water Treatment Technologies
Technology:	Advantages:	Limitations:
Copper Silver  Ionisation for Facility Potable Water	Discreet and affordable, 100% for total facility potable water, 100% for domestic hot water loops, Recognized by: The EPA, CDC, WHO, HSE and many other public health authorities, Over 25 years on the market worldwide, Ideal for new construction projects, Installation is fast and easy using standard plumbing, 100% biofilm penetration, 0% pipe corrosion, 66% less expensive compared to short term technologies, 55% smaller footprint than ClO2 (Chlorine Dioxide), 0% use of Ammonia or other dangerous chemicals, 0% byproduct monitoring required (Unlike ClO2) Full Legionella remediation in less than 30 days, Operational in any water temperatures, Operational in any potable water TDS,  Operational in most water pH levels, (less than 8.7) No black water (unlike Cl2),  No odours (unlike Cl2 and ClO2),  No discolouration (unlike Cl2) 100% Legionella isolation in dead legs, Engineered for facility potable water (not swimming pools) Has a 20+ year Legionella control track record, Very easy to install & maintain, Normally includes remote monitoring, AquaLyse® Stainless Steel meets all fire and plumbing codes,(Unlike PVC or CPVC) AquaLyse® Meets all electrical safety codes, AquaLyse® provides full computer control telemetry & data logging, AquaLyse® chamber cell water pressures of up to 820PSI at any liquid temperatures, (Unlike PVC or CPVC) AquaLyse® offers unique "multi-zone" DHW solutions.	Not intended for cooling towers, High pH limit of 8.7 (copper starts to precipitate) Some chamber cells do not include water erosion protection, Some controllers still use fuses and not breakers,
Technology:	Advantages:	Limitations:
Chlorine Dioxide  (ClO2)	Offers Legionella control & prevention in 17 months, Better than Cl2 for long term Legionella control Much less corrosive than Cl2, Better performance than Cl2, Better performance than super heat & flush. Comparable price to Copper Silver Ionisation.	300% Larger footprint than CuAg Ionisation, Strong chlorine odours at production site, Common hardware breakdown & corrosion, Service contracts normally required, ClO2 compounds can be explosive, ClO2 - highly unstable, ClO2 must be generated on site, ClO2 creates chlorites & chlorates byproducts, Legislation ClO2 byproducts monitoring required, Produced by activating sodium chlorite with an oxidizing agent or acid, ClO2 cannot be legally transported, ClO2 decomposes by light,  ClO2 decomposes by heat, ClO2 is toxic & irritant,  Requires up to 17 months for Legionella control, Reports of blackwater & sludge.
Short-Term Remediation Facility Legionella Water Treatment Technologies
Technology:	Advantages:	Limitations:
Chlorination (Cl2)	Easy to implement, Limited Legionella remediation effect, Affordable short term strategy, Some short term Legionella control results, Better than thermal eradication, Can be used in both hot and cold water,	Shut down water usage, Strong Chlorine odours, Flushing of aLL distal points, 100% flushing can take days / weeks, Pockets of Cl2 stay in the water pipes causing brown/black water, Black water (sludge), Very high ppm (30 to 50ppm), No long term residual effect on biofilm, Re-application every 3 to 5 weeks, High labor costs, Possible plumbing corrosion, At pH 8.5 chlorine requires five times as long to kill bacteria.
Technology:	Advantages:	Limitations:
Thermal eradication AKA Super Heat & Flush	Easy to implement Limited Legionella remediation effect Affordable short term strategy Some short term Legionella control results	Impractical for cold water pipes Flushing required High risks of scalding No residual effect on Legionella No residual effect on biofilm Short term results Effects only last 3 to 5 weeks  High labor costs Only for domestic hot water Research show Legionella presence worsen with continual DHW thermal eradication program
Duality Type Legionella Prevention Facility Water Treatment
Technology:	Advantages:	Limitations:
UV can be used in a situation when "technology duality" is required for facility potable water Legionella control & prevention. UV should only be considered for Legionella prevention when a long-term water treatment technology is previously installed.
Technology:	Advantages:	Limitations:
U.V. Lights "Ultra Violet"	Treats 100% flowing water, No corrosion, No byproducts, Affordable, Easy to Install,	Pre-filtration required, Loss of pressure after filtration, No residual (nothing added), No effect on biofilm (where Legionella grows), UV lights must be kept clean, Larger units will use higher amounts of electricity U.V. lights (the rods) burn out, Output UV radiation must be monitored.
Not Engineered for Legionella Prevention Facility Water Treatment
Technology:	Advantages:	Limitations:
Swimming Pool Type (Smaller) Copper Silver  Ionisation	Ideal for swimming pools, Ideal for fountains, Ideal for spas, Great for home use, Great for some larger swimming pools. Easy to buy, Easy to install, Very affordable,($250 to $2,000) Good algae control in pools, Very small,	Not engineered for facility potable water, No automated voltage output, Voltage output set at: 6,12,24 or 48 VDC Low current output of 0.15 to 5.0 amps (rare), Most are copper only electrodes, (No silver) Limited/no automation, Small electrodes, Alloy composition not intended for Legionella control,

Potable Water vs. Swimming Pools 

Facility Potable Water Treatment vs. Swimming Pool Water Treatment Technologies when investigating the engineering requirements of Copper Silver Ionisation.

By: Chris J. Gauthier, B.Sc. ICC / Legionella Field Microbiologist
Date: March 19, 2011

When it comes to copper silver ionisation evaluations, engineers and end users commonly discover two types of these water treatment technologies:

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Swimming Pool type Copper Silver Ionisation:
The first and most common type of copper silver ionisation unit is engineered for swimming pool applications. Key swimming pool type copper silver ionisation engineering features & observations:

1. Manual DC output voltage control (6, 12, 24, 48)
2. Fix amperage output based on model number (0.2 – 5 amps)
3. Daily water makeup capacity for each controller in a recirculated swimming pool: 10 to 1,000 GPD
4. Small & easy to replace electrodes, ( 0.25 to 3 lbs)
5. Internal electrodes composition NOT intended for human consumption. 99.9% Cu electrode usage does not guarantee safe for consumption electrodes. (Electrode MSDS Trace elements must be reported. Potential presence of trace elements such as: As, Cn, Pb, Hg)
6. Installed in low usage recirculated water (i.e. swimming pools, ornamental fountains)
7. Manufactures by hundreds of companies globally
8. Not engineered for facility potable water Legionella prevention applications
9. Residential use / commercial larger swimming pool use
10. Very affordable ($200 – $9,500 USD)
11. Electrode replacement Cost: ($85 to $500 each cell)
12. See chart bellow for details

Note: Swimming pool type copper silver ionisation units are not engineered for facility potable water Legionella control and prevention. Their smaller electrodes, lack of electrical power output and lack of automated variable voltage output features have been reported to cause application failures within a few weeks after installation.

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Facility Potable Water Type Copper Silver Ionisation:
The second less common types of copper silver ionisation units are engineered for facility potable water distribution networks such as those found in healthcare facilities, hotels, schools, commercial buildings or military establishments. Key engineering features and observations include:

1. PLC controlled automated DC voltage control (0 – 180 VDC)
2. PLC software controlled amperage output based on unit size (10,20,30,40, up to 160 amps)
3. Daily water makeup capacity for each controller based on model size installed in an in-line facility potable water:
   • Level 1: 5,000 to 22,500 GPD
   • Level 2: 23,000 to 46,000 GPD
   • Level 3: 46,500 to 69,000 GPD
   • etc…
4. Remote PLC monitoring and controls,
5. Remote activation data monitoring, logging and reporting,
6. Engineered spesificly for facility potable water applications,
7. Internal electrodes composition ARE intended for human consumption. 99.9% Cu / 99.99% Ag electrode usage with laboratory report provides safe for consumption electrodes. (Electrode MSDS Trace elements must be reported. Potential presence of trace elements such as: As, Cn, Pb, Hg)
8. High mass electrode to last between 9 to 24 months ( 6 – 9 lbs)
9. Installed in moderate or higher load water use systems (i.e. facility potable water)
10. Ideal bactericide & algaecide properties, (i.e. excellent for Legionella prevention)
11. Manufactured by only 4 companies globally, Canada (1), USA (2), UK (2)
12. Engineered for facility potable water Legionella prevention applications
13. Medical, Commercial & Military applications for facility potable water
14. Startup Cost ($10,000 – $225,000 USD)
15. Electrode replacement Cost: ($2,500 to $6,000 each cell)
16. See chart bellow for details

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All copper silver ionisation water treatment technology units are not created equal.

When comparing swimming pool units to larger medical, commercial or military grade Copper Silver ionisation types, the engineering differences will be very clear. In fact, swimming pool units, when installed within potable water distribution network, have been known to fail within a few weeks due to controller output limitations.

Engineers world wide understand that commercial size copper silver ionisation units such as AquaLyse® or the CSI Defender® units are required for 100% facility potable water treatment and/or domestic potable hot water loops. Those trying to install more affordable and smaller swimming pool ion generators within a facility potable water network fail within weeks and this leaves the end user without any means of controlling Legionella growth. Medical, commercial or military grade copper silver ionisation technology such as AquaLyse® should be used when Legionella control and prevention is required within a facility potable water distribution network.

Engineering & Observations for Each Technology type	Swimming Pool type copper silver ionisation water treatment:	Facility Potable Water Legionella Prevention Application
Electrical Power Consumption	3 to 120 Watts	200 to 85,500 Watts
Maximum applied DC voltage to electrodes	Manual 12, 24, 48 VDC	Automated 0 to 180 VDC (AquaLyse® / CSI Defender®)
Current draw per system	FIX (Circuit board) 0.250 milliamps to 5.0 amps	Programable (PLC with HMI) 2.0 to 20.0 amps each chamber cell
Electrode mass per ionisation chamber cell	0.25 lbs –  3 lbs (each chamber cell)	6 lbs to 9 lbs (each chamber cell)
Electrode surface contact with water per ionisation chamber cell	up to 200 cm2	200 cm2 to 36,000 cm2
Automated variable DC Power Output to compensate for electrode erosion in real time:	NO	YES
Timer control	OPTION	YES
Industrial Applications	NO	YES
Remote Monitoring / Management	NO	YES (BACNET, TCP/IP, Portal-Hub.com)
Residential swimming pools	YES	NO
Ornamental fountains	YES	NO
Agricultural Fruit Wash	YES	NO
Domestic hot water	NO	YES
Cooling towers	NO (lack of output capacity) NO (pH issues over 8.7)	NO (pH limit over 8.7)
Irrigation systems	NO	YES (Cu only required)
Low conductivity potable water	NO	YES (Power output required up to 180VDC) AquaLyse®
High conductivity potable water	NO	YES (Software controls PID) AquaLyse® / CSI Defender®
Time for installation	1 to 2 hours	3 to 8 hours
Copper test kits / monitoring	Color – Chemical Test Kit using drops	Traditional: Field spectrophotometer and/or yearly atomic absorption 2015: CSI Defender® – In-Line real time water monitoring, data logging and reporting.
Average Cost ea. (US)	$200 to $9,500	$10,000 to $225,000

Over time, medical, military and commercial grade copper silver ionisation facility potable water treatment solutions, such as AquaLyse®, have been proven to be effective for treating facility potable water against Legionella growth. The use of AquaLyse® is known to eliminate the need to implement regular short-term Legionella remediation intervention such as hyper-chlorination or thermal eradication.