1. Specifying the Best Disinfection
Technology Options in
Residential/Commercial Applications
Disinfection/Sanitization Procedures of
Water Softeners & RO Units
By: Justin Ramsey
3. Why Sanitize?
Within distribution systems there exist points called cross-connections
where nonpotable water can be connected to potable sources …
Backsiphonage may be caused by a variety of circumstances, such as main
breaks, flushing, pump failure, or emergency firefighting water
drawdown. Backpressure may occur when heating/cooling, waste
disposal, or industrial manufacturing systems are connected to potable
supplies and the pressure in the external system exceeds the pressure in
the distribution system … During incidents of backflow, these chemical
and biological contaminants have caused illness and deaths. The number
of incidents actually reported is believed to be a small percentage of the
total number of backflow incidents in the United States.
From 1981 to 1998, CDC documented 57 waterborne disease outbreaks
related to cross connections, resulting in 9,734 illnesses. These include
20 outbreaks (6,333 cases of illness) caused by microbiological
contamination, 15 outbreaks (679 cases of illness) caused by chemical
contamination, and 22 outbreaks (2,722 cases of illness) where the
contaminant was not reported.
*Potential Contamination Due to Cross-Connections and Backflow and the Associated Health Risks
http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/tcr/upload/2007_05_18_disinfection_tcr_issuepaper_tcr_crossconnection-backflow.pdf
4. Why Sanitize?
Within distribution systems there exist points called cross-connections
where nonpotable water can be connected to potable sources …
Backsiphonage may be caused by a variety of circumstances, such as main
breaks, flushing, pump failure, or emergency firefighting water
Nonpotable water can be connected to potable sources caused by waste
drawdown. Backpressure may occur when heating/cooling,
main breaks, flushing, pump failure, or emergency firefighting water to potable
disposal, or industrial manufacturing systems are connected drawdown.
supplies and the pressure in the external system exceeds the pressure in
From distribution system … During incidents of backflow,to
the 1981 to 1998, 57 waterborne disease outbreaks related these chemical
and biological contaminants have caused illness and deaths. The number
cross connections, resulting in 9,734 illnesses. The number of incidents actually
reported is believed to be a small percentage to be a small percentage of the
of incidents actually reported is believed
total number of backflow incidents in the United States.
From 1981 to 1998, CDC documented 57 waterborne disease outbreaks
related to cross connections, resulting in 9,734 illnesses. These include
20 outbreaks (6,333 cases of illness) caused by microbiological
contamination, 15 outbreaks (679 cases of illness) caused by chemical
contamination, and 22 outbreaks (2,722 cases of illness) where the
contaminant was not reported.
*Potential Contamination Due to Cross-Connections and Backflow and the Associated Health Risks
http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/tcr/upload/2007_05_18_disinfection_tcr_issuepaper_tcr_crossconnection-backflow.pdf
5. Why Sanitize?
From backflow incident records collected by EPA, the most
common microbial contaminants and their potential health effects
are listed below:
– Shigella
• The associated symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and convulsions (US EPA,
2002b).
– E. coli
• The most common effect is watery diarrhea, with some strains causing fever or
dysentery.
– Salmonella
• Depending on the strain, health effects can include typhoid fever, gastroenteritis
(salmonellosis) (Benenson, 1995), and septicemia (US EPA, 2002b)
– Campylobacter jejuni
• This bacteria can cause gastroenteritis with symptoms including bloody diarrhea,
fever, and abdominal cramping (US EPA, 2002b)
– Giardia
• Giardia are intestinal parasites that exist in natural waters in a nonreproductive
stage (cysts). They can cause diarrhea, as well as vomiting, cramps, and bloating
(US EPA, 2002b).
*Potential Contamination Due to Cross-Connections and Backflow and the Associated Health Risks
http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/tcr/upload/2007_05_18_disinfection_tcr_issuepaper_tcr_crossconnection-backflow.pdf
6. Why Sanitize?
• Pierre Payment (University of
Quebec) studied 600 families:
300 families had RO systems,
and 300 families drank tap
water.
• End of the 18-month study,
water from an unsanitized RO
caused 10 times more illness
than tap water
• The bacteria levels were
100,000 per milliliter (ml) and
higher
9. WQA & Sanitization
• “Water must be considered as a
food… water treatment
equipment must be maintained in
the same manner as would be
required to safeguard the sanitary
condition of any food.”
• “Water treatment systems are
susceptible to contamination
from airborne, waterborne and
human transmitted sources.”
• “Only U.S. EPA registered
chemicals should be used … to
sanitize/disinfect water
treatment equipment.”
10. Sanitization Market Research
• Market Research performed Q1 of 2010
• Surveyed 359 independent dealers
• Spoke with several distributors, dealership owners, service
men, trainers and magazine editors
• Interviewed corporate dealer group buyers & trainers
• Brief sampling of interviewees:
11. Research Results
• 72% currently using chlorine
• 57% of sanitizers are purchased outside of the WT
channel
• 63% are unsure that the system is properly sanitized
when complete
• 84% want an EPA certified sanitizer
12. Determining a Solution
• 5 ¼% Chlorine Solution (50 ppm • Quaternary Ammonium (200 ppm
concentration) concentration)
– Requires only 2 minutes of – Sanitizes in just 60 seconds.
contact time. Readily available Available in single-dose packets
– Stains, corrosive to resin & – Non-corrosive, non-staining but
membranes, smells, tastes & leaves an aftertaste if too much
difficult to determine proper is used
dosage due to continual gassing
off of the Chlorine
• Iodine (12.5 ppm)
• Hydrogen Peroxide (3, 7, or 35%)
– Sanitizes in 15 minutes
(30,000 ppm concentration)
– Liquid stains just about
– Requires 3 hours of contact time
everything it comes in contact
– Scentless & tasteless but with
requires 3 hours & difficult to
determine proper dosage
13. Determining a Solution
• CHLOROX • IODINE TABLETS
"Dear Mr. Ramsey, "Our Potable Aqua water
[Sanitizing water softeners purification tablets are
is] actually not a use for NOT INTENDED TO BE
which we've tested our USED TO SANITIZE WATER
Clorox Regular Bleach, so SOFTENERS. They cannot
you may want to check be used for this
with the water softener purpose. They are
manufacturer and see if regulated by the FDA for
they offer an alternative the purpose of purifying
(for sanitization)." water only."
14. Determining a Solution
• 5 ¼% Chlorine Solution (50 ppm • Quaternary Ammonium (200 ppm
concentration) concentration)
– Requires only 2 minutes of – Sanitizes in just 60 seconds.
contact time. Readily available Available in single-dose packets
– Stains, corrosive to resin & – Non-corrosive, non-staining but
membranes, smells, tastes & leaves an aftertaste if too much
difficult to determine proper is used
dosage due to continual gassing
off of the Chlorine
• Iodine (12.5 ppm)
• Hydrogen Peroxide (3, 7, or 35%)
– Sanitizes in 15 minutes
(30,000 ppm concentration)
– Liquid stains just about
– Requires 3 hours of contact time
everything it comes in contact
– Scentless & tasteless but with
requires 3 hours & difficult to
determine proper dosage
15. How to Sanitize
Water Softeners – two easy steps
One:
Open and pour the entire contents of
the packet into the brine well.
If no brine well is present, pour
contents into the bottom of brine tank
when salt is nearly empty.
Two:
Manually regenerate softener according
to manufacturer specifications.
Regenerate again if necessary.
16. How to Sanitize
Reverse Osmosis Units – five easy steps
One:
Shut off water to RO unit.
Remove membrane and filter or filters.
Store in water to prevent damage.
Two:
Open pure water faucet and
depressurize system.
17. How to Sanitize
Reverse Osmosis Units – five easy steps
Three:
Pour entire packet directly into first
main housing unit.
Make sure pure water faucet is
closed and turn on water supply.
Four:
Allow system to fill with water.
Flush system two times.
18. How to Sanitize
Reverse Osmosis Units – five easy steps
FIve:
Replace and re-install membranes
and filter or filters.
19. Educating your Customer
• Tell your customer you’re sanitizing
the water treatment equipment and
tell them why (best practice,
safeguarding the customer, etc)
• Explain the modest fee and point
out the line item on the invoice
• Attach an educational brochure to
the invoice
20. Educating your Customer
• Begin developing the "service mentality" with
your customer by using service stickers &
hangers
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