The state of New Jersey will soon relyon a number of highly specific water treatment laws in order to keep its population safe from waterborne illness. The reason for these regulations is s, numerous people have continued to fall ill or even die as a result of Legionnaires’ disease within the state.
This is why it is critical that you keep your own facility in compliance with New Jersey’s draft water treatment laws. If you are unsure about how to do so, you do not have to tackle the task alone; a professional water treatment company can help you navigate the world of water treatment regulations and establish a process customized for your facility that keeps you in compliance.
What Water Treatment Laws Accomplish
For obvious reasons, water treatment laws are useful for preventing the spread of potentially dangerous bacteria and encouraging the use of safe, clean water. In potable water Legionella is not the only culprit to protect against; comprehensive water treatment also takes care of pathogens such as E. coli and giardia. However, if you abide by water treatment laws, you can even experience benefits directly related to your own facility.
By utilizing proper water treatment, you can reduce or even eliminate biological material from your water such as algae and biofilms.
These materials contribute to fouling your equipment, meaning that you will need to repair or replace expensive items less frequently if your water is clean. Similarly, controlling your water’s pH and being more diligent about its contents can reduce corrosion and scaling, which interfere with some processes, such as the heat transfer in a cooling tower.
When machines have to work harder to achieve their intended effect, you will pay more on your utility bills. So water treatment laws protect the general population, but they also benefit your facility too.
Water Treatment In NJ Compliance: Chemical Compounds
If you are preparing for compliance with New Jersey’s water treatment laws, the first thing that you need to do is sample and test your water to determine its composition. This goes beyond testing for Legionella, though that is an important aspect.
Examine your pH, hardness and the type and quantity of suspended solids, among a number of other metrics depending on where you get your water from. This will inform exactly what type of chemicals and other options you will need to use in order to bring your water into compliance.
In general, however, chlorine is one of the most common choices for water treatment. Hyperchlorination, or shocking your water system with a high amount of chlorinated salts temporarily and then flushing the system, can shock the water and provide the first step toward maintaining cleaner, better water. This is not a long-term option, though.
Long-Term Remediation Options
For long-term compliance with water treatment laws in New Jersey, you will need to consider tactics that are sustainable. A copper silver ionization system, for example, treats water consistently using a direct current that releases ions that prevent microorganisms from correctly establishing their cell walls.
You may also consider monochloramine as a Legionella deterrent; some studies indicate it performs better against biofilms than free chlorine. However, the right long-term option for you will depend on your specific water quality and composition.
Regulatory Mandates Surrounding Documentation And Reporting
Another important step toward compliance that you must prepare for is thorough documentation of your processes. This includes keeping a detailed maintenance checklist that tracks when each task was done, a list of contacts for the facility, results of previous water sampling and more.
You will be required to share this information for the purposes of compliance. Similarly, you will eventually be required to report on Legionella regularly in order to comply with regulations; typically, you should test your water frequently and report the results every few months.
If you detect Legionella in your water, you must report immediately and demonstrate that you have a comprehensive and effective remediation strategy in place for emergencies. This is why it is helpful to establish a relationship with a Legionella compliance and water treatment company ahead of time, so that you do not spend vital moments after an outbreak looking for a professional.
Trust The Experts For Water Treatment In NJ
If you have questions about compliance with New Jersey water treatment laws, or if you would like assistance in achieving your water treatment goals, Tower Water would be happy to help. We set the standard in water treatment because we believe that a customized strategy tailored specifically to you and your building is a must. Reach out to schedule an appointment to discuss your options and evaluate the risks unique to your situation.