Now that cooler weather is upon us, it’s time to perform HVAC system maintenance and lay up cooling towers for winter. If your system struggles to keep up with the summer’s heat and humidity, now is the perfect time to evaluate your cooling water treatment program and consider making a switch.
 
Take, for example, a hotel in Washington, D.C. that traded biocide chemicals for Pathex filter media and hasn’t looked back:

The Problem
Biofilm, scaling and corrosion were winning the battle in the cooling tower of a Washington, D.C.’s 10-story hotel. Resulting operational inefficiencies in the 200-ton cooling tower led to guests complaining about hot, muggy rooms.

The Solution
An Aqua-Stream high-efficiency side-stream filter, fitted with Pathex antibacterial filter media, was installed. The Aqua-Stream efficiently filters suspended solids, and Pathex replaced the oxidizing chemical biocides that weren’t adequately killing bacteria in the cooling water.
 
Together, the products improved heat transfer efficiency, reduced water and energy consumption and decreased maintenance needs for the hotel – ultimately resulting in cooler, more comfortable rooms for hotel guests.
 
The Outcomes
Cleaner air, cooler water and significant savings.
 
Read the case study for additional outcomes or contact us to discuss your cooling tower filtration needs.

Already have a side-stream filter? Consider switching to Pathex filter media to boost the power of your filter. It’s a drop-in replacement for most sand and multi-media filter beds. Pathex kills bacteria on contact without using or leaching chemicals.

Whether your goals are to cut costs, reduce maintenance pressure on your staff, or do good for the planet, AS Filtration’s sustainable water treatment solutions are up to the task.
 
Here are 6 reasons why sustainable water treatment makes sense: 
 
1. Reduce chemical use
The leading water treatment solutions include chemicals for controlling bacteria, but those same chemicals also speed corrosion and scaling in pipes and tubes, shortening the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and, ironically, spurring the need for additional chemical treatments. 

2. Say good-bye to harmful byproducts
Water treatment chemicals, such as chlorine, can create hazardous disinfection byproducts that are considered harmful to humans and animals.  
 
3. Worker and facility safety
Some chemicals used in water treatment programs are explosive in high concentrations, and most are dangerous to handle and store requiring compliance with  special worker training as well as added material record keeping.

4. Decrease pressure on limited resources
Severe drought conditions over the last year underscored the need for clean water. Using sustainable water treatment products stretch the useful life of process equipment while reducing water and energy consumption.  

5. Financial savings
Saving water and energy translates directly into bottom-line savings. But the savings don’t stop there – decreased reliance on chemicals means less money spent buying, storing, and handling chemicals. And, choosing products that effectively clean and filter water without contributing to scaling and corrosion means your equipment will last longer and need less labor and downtime for maintenance. (Read more in our blog: 4 Ways to Save Big on Cooling Tower Costs). 

6. Get noticed
Local and national programs reward and recognize facilities that reduce their environmental impact through sustainable practices and products. AS Filtration’s products can help you earn LEED certification points and / or achieve ENERGY STAR certification. (Read more in our blog: Become an Energy Star). 

​Ready to go green with clean, blue water? Contact us today to find out how our sustainable water treatment solutions can solve your water woes and meet your budget goals.

The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) offers guidance for reducing water usage and improving water efficiency, and their Best Management Practices publication includes a section on cooling tower management. Although the FEMP resources are designed specifically for federal businesses and campuses, they’re best practices that can help all building owners and managers save money on cooling tower operations.
 
The FEMP’s best practice #10 offers water efficiency opportunities for cooling towers, and we’ll focus on three of those tips:

1. Maximize cycles of concentration
2. Install side-stream filtration
3. Consider alternative water treatment options

 
Cycles of concentration
Maximizing cycles of concentration reduces water lost through blowdown, thereby minimizing the amount of water needed as make-up water. Significant water savings can be achieved by running lengthier cycles, but using the same water for a longer period allows dissolved solids to accumulate between blowdown flushes, causing scaling and corrosion problems.  The extent of those problems is highly dependent on environmental factors and the quality of your makeup water.
 
The next two water efficiency recommendations, however, provide solutions for increasing cycles of concentration in new and retrofit configurations.
 
Side-stream filtration
Side-stream filters run continuously, filtering sediment from a portion of cooling water and returning clean water back into the system. This process prevents the buildup of scaling and biofilm and requires fewer maintenance interruptions. High-efficiency side-stream filtration also improves operational efficiency, saves water, and reduces the need for water treatment chemicals.

Learn more about high-efficiency side-stream filtration in “2-in-1 Solution for Industrial and Commercial Cooling Tower Water Treatment.”
 
Alternative water treatment options
The FEMP guideline here is a bit vague but refers to the fact that new treatment options can be effective tools in your arsenal for cutting chemical use and saving water. AS Filtration’s antimicrobial filter media, Pathex, is one such solution. Pathex is EPA-registered as a pesticide and is a proven tool for destroying waterborne bacteria on contact. The filter media enhances the efficacy of side-stream filters by removing not only suspended solids, but also by controlling bacteria as water is filtered. Pathex is a drop-in replacement for most sand and multi-media filters.
 
Our blog, How Clean is Your Water Filter?, compares water disinfection technologies and shows how Pathex filter media stacks up against traditional treatment options.
 
For more best practices in cooling tower management, read the FEMP’s full Best Management Practice #10.
 
To talk with an experienced engineer about your water efficiency needs, contact us.

Having a dirty water filter in your cooling tower is almost as bad as having no filter at all. Over time, media beds can clog with biological growth and debris, like dust, dirt and pollen, that diminish the filter’s ability to remove suspended solids. This buildup makes your whole system work harder and leads to problems like these:

• Channeling in the media bed
• Caking (hardening) of the media bed
• Increased turbidity
• Reduced capacity
• Harboring waterborne bacteria
• Decreased heat transfer

 
A dirty water filter is not only inefficient; it can also be dangerous if it becomes a breeding ground for harmful bacteria like Legionella.
 
Chemicals are the typical solution for keeping filters clean. However, they can be costly and hazardous to handle and store, they frequently create harmful byproducts, and they require constant tinkering to get the balance just right as environmental and process factors fluctuate.
 
A safer alternative is now available. AS Filtration’s groundbreaking filter media destroys bacteria on contact and requires only a simple backwash to remove debris and allow the filter to operate effectively at optimal flow rates. The antibacterial property of the filter media prevents the formation of biofilm and inhibits the growth of new bacteria in the system, putting an end to caking and channeling of the media bed.
 
The proactive nature of the filter media also prolongs the lifespan of pipes, tubes, valves and downstream equipment by addressing scaling and corrosion caused by biological growth and harsh chemical treatments.  Plus, your facilities staff will thank you for sparing them the chore of chipping out solidified media beds!
 
See how else this new technology stacks up against other water disinfection solutions for keeping your cooling tower filters clean:

You may also be interested in our blog: How Low Can You Go? Is Your Cooling Tower Water Filter Missing 85% of Suspended Solids?

​Put simply, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration for a pesticide validates a product’s ability to kill bacteria or other pests. To earn the U.S. EPA registration, a product must undergo rigorous testing to confirm its ability to perform as promised without posing unreasonable risks to people or the environment.
 
AS Filtration attained EPA registration for our groundbreaking filter media so consumers can be confident about the quality, effectiveness and safety of our products when used as directed to control waterborne bacteria during the water filtration process.
 

Because of their EPA registration, you can be assured that our filter media products:

• Have been thoroughly tested
• Destroy harmful waterborne bacteria, including coliform
• Meet high standards of safety and efficacy
• Deliver proven results
• Are safe to handle and store

 
Learn more about EPA regulation of pesticides and why registration should matter to consumers in our latest Tech Report: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Pesticide Registration Proves Product’s Efficacy Without Risk of Posing Adverse Affects.
 
Learn more
Visit our Tech Reports library for the latest data and information about water quality technologies and treatment methods. 
 
If you would like to discuss how our filtration and EPA-registered treatment solutions can be applied to your specific situation, please call 423.602.9520 to speak to one of our engineers, or Contact Us.   

Begin updating your water management program today 

In our previous entries, we touched on the basics of the ASHRAE Standard 188-2015, why it’s important, and what buildings and facilities are impacted. Now, we’ll take a look at what you should do to follow the published guideline. 

Establishing a water treatment program
Most cases of Legionellosis are the result of exposure to Legionella bacteria associated with building water systems, so the standard requires use of a water management program to reduce the risk of Legionellosis associated with those systems. 

The water treatment framework within the standard includes these components: 

• Program team identification
  Indicate who is responsible for implementing and monitoring the water management program. 
  

• Description and analysis of building water systems
  Indicate the location and flow of water systems, then identify those that pose the most significant risk for Legionellosis and note where water treatment can be applied. 
  

• Control measures
  This is the heart of the standard. Choose and install water treatment measures to effectively reduce the risk of Legionella. Document all treatment measures taken, their implementation schedules and processes, measurement parameters, and corrective actions for each control measure. 

 

• Verification and validation
  Outline specific, scheduled reviews of water treatment program documentation and processes to ensure the program is being implemented. Then, perform periodic water sampling of building water systems to validate the efficacy of your treatment measures. Routine testing specifically for Legionellosis is the most direct method for confirming the effectiveness of your program. 
  

What should I do with the written plan and program compliance information?
Simply keep the documentation and make it available for review as needed by the party or parties responsible for enforcing the requirements of ASHRAE Standard 188-2015. 

AS Filtration’s Legionella Risk Management Solutions
Your water management program must include disinfectant to kill or inactivate pathogens, as well as water treatment products to control microbiological activity, scale, and corrosion.  

The Aqua-Stream filtration system has been proven to kill and control waterborne bacteria while removing suspended particles as small as 0.5 micrometers (microns).  

Pathex® antimicrobial filter media removes particles and controls waterborne bacteria. It’s included in our Aqua-Stream filtration system and is also a drop-in replacement for most sand and multi-media filters. Unlike plain sand filters that often harbor bacteria, Pathex kills waterborne bacteria on contact. Pathex is EPA registered as a pesticide under FIFRA sec 3(c)(7)(A) and is certified by NSF International to NSF/ANSI Standard 61 for drinking water system components.  

For more information, please visit our Legionella Risk Management Solutions page or contact us for a free consultation.

An overview of the facility types impacted by ASHRAE Standard 188-2015 

In our last blog, we talked about ASHRAE Standard 188-2015 and why it was developed to reduce and control Legionella bacteria in building water systems, including fountains, whirlpools and cooling towers.  

Now, we’ll describe the types of buildings and facilities identified in the standard as being at-risk for Legionella bacteria. If your facility falls into one of these categories, you should familiarize yourself with the standard and begin implementing a compliant water treatment program.  

Who needs to read the standard?
The ASHRAE Standard 188-2015 is intended for use by owners and managers of “human occupied commercial, institutional, multiunit residential and industrial buildings.”  

The standard requires a written water treatment program for facilities with the following risk factors:

• Open and closed circuit cooling towers or evaporative condensers 
  
• Whirlpools or spas (hot tubs), on the site or in the building
  
• Ornamental fountains, misters, atomizers, air washes, or humidifiers 
  
• Non-potable water systems or devices that release water droplets in the building or on the site
  

 
In addition, the standard requires written water treatment programs for*: 

• Multiple housing units with one or more centralized potable water-heater systems
  
• Buildings more than 10 stories high (including any levels that are below grade)
  
• Health care facilities where patient stays exceed 24 hours
  
• Buildings containing one or more areas for the purpose of housing or treating occupants receiving treatment for burns, chemotherapy for cancer, or solid organ transplantation or bone marrow transplantation
  
• Buildings identified as being for the purpose of housing occupants over the age of 65 years
  
• Buildings that house or treat occupants who are at higher risk from becoming ill through exposure 

Owners/managers of new and existing buildings should complete an assessment of the premises identifying any risk factors listed prior to occupancy of a new building or before construction begins on renovations, additions, or modifications to existing buildings.   

The ASHRAE standard also applies to those involved in the design, construction, installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance and service of a centralized building water system and components to ensure compliance. 

Single-family residences are not included in the standard. 

In our next blog, we’ll talk more about how to comply with the standard to reduce the risk of a Legionnaire’s Disease outbreak at your facility. You’re also invited to visit our Legionella Risk Management Solutions page for information on water treatment products that may enable compliance in your facility.

*please read the full standard for more specific details about at-risk facilities

New standard sets guidelines for reduction and control of Legionella bacteria 

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has published ASHRAE Standard 188-2015, an industry guideline for Legionellosis risk management, to protect public health by controlling Legionella bacteria in building water systems. 

Low levels of Legionella bacteria are present in nearly all bodies of water and can cause Legionellosis (Legionnaire’s Disease), a serious and sometimes fatal form of pneumonia. The illness is spread through fine water particles, like mist dispersed by hot tubs and fountains. The disease is not spread person-to-person. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 8,000 to 18,000 people in the United States are hospitalized each year from the disease. Most recently, a deadly outbreak occurred in New York, and a factory was shut down briefly in North Carolina after Legionella bacteria were found in its cooling towers. 

What is ASHRAE Standard 188-2015?
The standard is an industry guideline establishing minimum Legionellosis risk management requirements for building water systems such as cooling towers, evaporators, fountains, and hot tubs. It provides an outline for Legionella control measures and gives building owners leeway in choosing a compliant water treatment program.

The standard requires that affected facility owners/managers implement and document an effective, written water treatment program with Legionella control measures that comply with the stated guidelines. 

Does the standard include a list of required treatment methods?
No, the standard offers only a framework for Legionella risk management and leaves specific water treatment measures to the discretion of your water program team. This flexibility is intentional and recognizes that there is great variation among individual buildings and water systems, and that no single solution is ideal for every application. Regardless of your chosen treatment method, ongoing control measures and active testing are part of any effective program. 

Are there penalties for non-compliance with the standard?
According to OSHA, organizations are legally required to protect occupants from known dangers, and Legionella may be considered a known hazard. Although the Standard 188-2015 is not a law, organizations may be found negligent in court if testing demonstrates a failure to comply with the published guidelines.   

Earlier this month, New York City Council adopted legislation requiring adherence to part of the Legionella standard, and other cities, counties and state agencies may follow suit. 

In our next blog, learn more about the buildings and facilities impacted by the standard. Then, read the final entry to find out how to comply with the standard. You’re also invited to visit our Legionella Risk Management Solutions page for information on water treatment products that may enable ASHRAE 188 compliance in your facility.

The cause of Legionnaire’s Disease, Legionella bacteria, is present at low levels in many bodies of water. But it thrives in warm, damp environments like cooling towers and whirlpool spas and can pose a serious health risk when dispersed in mist or fine droplets.
 
Fortunately, reducing and controlling Legionella is relatively easy to do with an effective, continuous water treatment program that is regularly evaluated and maintained. The recently published ASHRAE Standard 188-2015 for managing Legionella risk outlines water treatment program guidelines for monitoring and reducing the bacteria in building water systems. It’s an excellent starting point for establishing or updating a water treatment program for your facility. 

A central component of the standard is control measures to inactivate or kill pathogens as well as reduce scaling, corrosion, and biofilm in cooling towers and evaporative condensers. Control measures are also required for potable water systems, whirlpool spas, ornamental fountains, and aerosol generating misters, atomizers, air washers, and humidifiers.  

There’s no single solution that is best for every application, but our filtration products can be valuable components of your water treatment program for managing Legionella risk in many new and retrofit situations.  

Aqua-Stream™ High-Efficiency Side-Stream Filter
The Aqua-Stream filtration system has been proven to kill and control waterborne bacteria while removing suspended particles as small as 0.5 micrometers (microns). It provides continuous filtration and uses a small footprint, so it’s ideal as a water treatment product in retrofit and critical facility applications .
 
Pathex® Filter Media
Pathex antimicrobial filter media is the key to successful particle removal and controlling waterborne bacteria without the use of chemicals. (See our Technical Report, Breakthrough Filter Media Technology Kills Bacteria on Contact). Pathex is included in the Aqua-Stream filtration system and can also be used as a drop-in replacement for most sand and multi-media filters. Unlike plain sand filters that may harbor bacteria, Pathex kills waterborne bacteria on contact. Pathex is EPA registered as a pesticide and is NSF/ANSI Standard 61 certified for drinking water system components.  

For more information about Legionella risk reduction, please visit our Legionella Risk Management Solutions page or contact us for a free consultation.