When people think of water treatment, they most commonly imagine the process of making water more pleasant to drink, which leads commercial building owners to wonder how much effort they should expend on the process. However, commercial water treatment is a valuable tool for facilities to keep their equipment functioning over the long term.
It also provides both safety and water quality benefits, which means that building owners and managers who want to keep their water system in ideal condition should consider establishing a routine water treatment plan.
Why Use Water Treatment?
Water treatment can fulfill a variety of functions, not the least of which is making water safe to drink. In a commercial setting, the risks of contaminated water increase substantially over residential issues.
From potentially dangerous bacteria building up and thriving in the cooling towers, condensers and other machinery on site to suspended solids in the water fouling vital equipment, the water treatment process can keep both the people who work at your building and the equipment that you rely on safe from harm.
The most effective type of water treatment for you will depend upon the specific factors of your building and area, such as water composition, where you get your water from, what machinery you use and what your ultimate goals are. A professional water treatment expert can guide you toward creating a comprehensive plan if you are unsure of the treatment options that suit your building best.
Water Filtration Options
Typically, water treatment will begin with filtration. Water filtration makes water safe to drink if it is in a potable tap, but even if the water you work with is not meant for human consumption, filtration is still a powerful tool.
Activated carbon filters use charcoal to absorb contaminants in the water by pulling them into pores created by oxygen in between atoms of carbon. Contaminants that are removed using filtration such as this do not pass on to the heart of your water system, meaning that they are removed before they can cause fouling.
Unfiltered water may contain solids, living materials like algae and even bacteria that may pose a host of issues, from health safety to excessive biofilm growth that damages your machinery.
While charcoal filters rely on carbon atoms, carbonless filters use chlorine and monochloramine instead. This enables them to not only remove large contaminants but also to protect your equipment from scaling, which can increase your energy bills.
Disinfection and How It Helps
Disinfection is another critical step in water treatment; in fact, failure to disinfect the water in a commercial facility may violate local and state regulations. Water, especially at tepid temperatures, is at risk of housing Legionella bacteria, which can cause illness or even death in humans.
Disinfection is the water treatment step that prevents outbreaks of Legionella and other dangerous bacteria while simultaneously keeping your machinery clean and efficient.
Disinfection involves a variety of potential methods depending upon your situation, including introducing chemicals and biocides to the water, altering the water temperature temporarily or permanently or physically scrubbing and cleaning the surfaces of equipment such as cooling tower basins.
The disinfection process kills bacteria, cleans the water and reduces the footholds by which future outbreaks can gain hold and offer a safe place for bacteria to multiply.
Next Steps Based on Usage
The final steps of your commercial water treatment plan will vary based on the function of your business and what type of equipment you use. If you are performing water treatment on potable water, you may be interested in taking care of your repository where the water is stored and refrigerated for use.
If you are operating on non-potable water such as for a cooling tower, you may consider water recapture options that help you to reduce your environmental impact by reusing water for the tower when possible. A water treatment expert can help you to explore your options.
Work With The Water Treatment Pros For Your Commercial Needs
Whether you are considering your water treatment options for the first time or you need guidance in complying with local and state regulations for water quality and disinfection, it is wise to establish a relationship with a skilled water treatment expert.
The professionals at Tower Water set the standard in water treatment and would be happy to help you explore your options. We can customize a water treatment plan based upon your goals and the risks present in your facility so that you can spend less time focused on the quality of your water and more time attending to the important matters that drive your business.