SafeSol water disinfectant used by Housing Associations to control legionella

(01/10/2008)

All buildings with a water supply can generate a high risk of infections of many types for the people using that supply, not the least being Legionella. There is clear legislation from the Government regarding the responsibilities of the owners of such buildings to ensure that every tank and length of pipe in the water supply is disinfected regularly and efficiently to ensure the safety of those resident or working in a building.

The Legionella bacterium is relatively common and is found in small numbers in most natural water systems. Legionnaires’ disease is contracted by inhaling the bacterium either in tiny water droplets or in droplet nuclei contaminated by Legionella bacteria. Initial symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include high fever, chills headache and muscle pain. Other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, and delirium may also be experienced.

Legionella bacteria have been found in water at temperatures between 6º C and 60º C. The bacterium thrives best between 20º C and 45º C. They remain dormant in cool water but multiply when the water temperature is increased. Legionella requires a supply of nutrients, sludge, sediment and other materials.

The bacteria use host organisms like algae and protozoa and tend to find security and a plentiful supply of nutrients which grow on the internal surfaces of water systems. This environment protects the Legionella bacteria from temperature or biocides which might kill these micro organisms if they were swimming freely in the water flow.

Non-Toxic SafeSol water disinfectant is being used by an ever increasing number of Housing Associations, Local Authorities and many private organisations to comply with the Government's L8 legislation relating to the control of legionella and other 'nasties' in buildings' water supplies.

Prior to SafeSol3, the most common way to try to disinfect a building's water system was to apply highly toxic chemicals which in turn needed to be cleaned out of the system before people could use it and weren't always as effiicient as needed. Also, the hot water supply would be run at hand burning high temperatures in an effort to control the bacteria.

One of the first Housing Associations to use SafeSol on an ongoing basis is Hackney Homes in London who, in 2006, researched how they could best comply with the regulations and deliver the most efficient and safe ware disinfection service for their residents.

Dennis Emmett from Hackney Homes described SafeSol as a more effective, environmentally friendly alternative to the other harsh chemicals commonly used to disinfect water supplies. "It's also easy to handle for the person applying it to the water tanks," Dennis said.

SafeSol is the UK product name for a silver catalysed, stabilised hydrogen peroxide which has been tested and applied in many commercial and industrial situations across the world, but is only now beginning to come of age.

SafeSol3 is a universal disinfectant - it kills everything. It is environmentally friendly - the breakdown products are water and oxygen. It combats Biofilm - removes and destroys the adhesive film where nasties hide. The chemical is easy and safe to handle for the person applying it to the water tanks.

Since the launch of SafeSol3 the product range has grown to include disinfectants for showerheads in hardwater areas whereby the special SafeSol dip and sprays will both descale and disinfect in one.

Related categories:  Commercial and offices applications   Industrial applications   Legislation and regulations   Residential applications   Tanks, cisterns and cylinders   Water treatment