How to Prevent the Growth of Legionella Bacteria in Potable Water
Every day we see reports of dangerous diseases and infections spreading across the States due to the inappropriate use of chemical-based drugs in drinking water. The use of these chemicals has increased over the past several years, as a result of which many municipal water supplies have experienced severe contamination. Facilities are required to test their public water supplies for safety every three months but few of them actually do so. Those that do over-test or under-test have an obvious conflict of interest as they benefit from the increased sales of the chemical companies. They also benefit from the fines levied by the states attorney generals who are intent on reducing the number of cases of water-borne disease that occur each year in America.
A problem that we see more frequently now is the growth of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. These bacteria can gain access to a facility's water supply through the use of E. coli or other harmful microbes. When these pathogenic bacteria enter a water system they are usually killed by the chlorine disinfection process used by most facilities. Unfortunately this process has no effect whatsoever on lead, a toxic metal found in the majority of municipal water supplies.
As a result of this lack of attention to the adverse effects of chlorine, the use of an effective disinfectant was added to facilities to prevent the growth of legionella bacteria in both potable and bottled drinking water. This new technology was based on the idea that it would be more effective than chlorine to kill bacteria and microbes. The main component in this new technology is copper ions, which are attracted to bacteria. By subjecting the water to this positive charge, the copper ions bind with the bacteria and literally eat them out of existence.
Facilities use copper salts in large quantities because they are far more effective at destroying bacteria than the common chlorine. These salts are applied to both the potable and bottled water. While the use of copper is more expensive, because it must be imported from the quarries where the copper is extracted and then processed, many people believe that it is worth the extra expense. Many states and cities have also added a small amount of copper to water as a means of protecting their aquifers. However, research conducted in Europe showed that the addition of copper to water did not reduce the amount of bacteria in the water.
While many believe that facilities should implement a similar disinfection method to prevent the growth of legionella bacteria in facility potable water distributed, those in favor of such a step to say that there is too much risk for consumers to allow the presence of bacteria in their water to remain unchecked. They also claim that it is not cost effective to implement such measures, and that it could create a need for a public health department inspection of the facilities. If the state or local health department were to find bacteria in the water, they would likely pass the information on to residents by requiring that they be alert. This would then allow them to take action to clean the water coming into their homes.
Potable Water With the Copper Silver Ionization Treatment
Copper-silver ionization has proven to be a reliable, economical and easy means to control and eliminate the Legionella odor causing water contamination in homes and offices. This method was initially developed for the purpose of treating drinking water. Recently, experts have proved that this same technology can also be used in other commercial facilities, such as water supply plants, municipal swimming pools, hot water pipes, etc. in order to successfully prevent the growth of deadly bacteria in such places.
The primary reason why copper silver ionization water treatment is considered as the best prevention solution against Legionella is that it has the ability to effectively kill all forms of the pathogen. Although it is difficult to prevent water contamination, it is not impossible. In fact, this method helps in reducing the risk of exposure to this pathogen to a great extent. During this treatment, sodium ions are effectively introduced into the drinking water with a by-product-free process to rid plumbing infrastructure from this potential pathogen. However, experts are recommending the use of bottled for drinking water as it poses fewer health risks. The same technique can also be used to prevent the growth of E-coli in water pipes.
However, it is important to note that despite the availability of copper-silver ionization water treatment system at any water supply point, it is advisable to install such facilities in the most sensitive areas such as kitchen, showers, faucets and laundry rooms. Studies show that prolonged contact with these bacteria can cause serious health problems. In addition, the treatment method can also prove extremely effective against other microorganisms such as giardia and Cryptosporidium, whose presence in potable water can lead to severe illnesses affecting a large number of people, especially children.
The Bottom Line
It is very important for facilities to understand the relationship between bacteria and contamination. Consumers have a right to feel comfortable that the water coming into their homes is safe and free from the threat of infection. Facilities should consult CSI Defender and implement effective practices and be sure to educate their staff about the risks of contaminating the water. Following these guidelines, along with testing samples of the water daily, can help to prevent the growth of legionella bacteria in facility potable water distributed.
