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How Chlorine, Monochloramine, and Chlorine Dioxide and HydroTreat™ Combat Waterborne Pathogens

How Chlorine, Monochloramine, and Chlorine Dioxide and HydroTreat™ Combat Waterborne Pathogens

Water treatment is a critical component of public health. Ensuring safe drinking water involves the elimination of harmful contaminants and pathogens. Among the most effective methods to achieve this is through the use of chemical disinfectants. Chlorine, monochloramine, and chlorine dioxide are three of the most commonly used disinfectants in the water industry. Each of these chemicals has a unique mechanism of action against waterborne pathogens, offering different advantages and considerations. In this blog, we will explore how these chemicals work to make water safe for consumption.

Chemical Treatment in Your Water Systems

Blog 4 - Chemical PumpUsing chemicals to combat waterborne pathogens is one of the most effective methods for ensuring the safety and quality of water systems in a variety of settings. Waterborne pathogens, such as Legionella, and E. coli, pose significant health risks, potentially leading to serious illnesses if left untreated. Chemicals help disinfect water by targeting and neutralizing these harmful microorganisms. The use of chemical treatments helps to ensure that water systems remain free of dangerous bacteria, viruses, and parasites, protecting both public health and facility operations.

One of the key advantages of using chemicals is their ability to provide ongoing protection within water systems. As water flows through pipes, cooling towers, and tanks, there is a continuous risk of contamination from pathogens that thrive in moist environments. Chemical treatments can be administered regularly to maintain a residual disinfectant level, which helps prevent the growth and spread of these microorganisms over time. 

In addition to their effectiveness in controlling pathogens, chemicals are a cost-efficient solution for water treatment. Chemical treatments require less upfront investment and can be easily integrated into existing water management processes. Advancements in water treatment chemicals have led to more environmentally friendly options that minimize harmful byproducts, making chemical disinfection a sustainable choice for both short-term and long-term water safety.

By incorporating chemical treatments into your water management strategy, you can significantly reduce the risk of waterborne pathogen outbreaks, safeguard public health, and comply with evolving regulations that require proactive pathogen control.

Different Types of Disinfectants

 
1. Chlorine (Cl₂)

Chlorine is one of the oldest and most frequently used disinfectants for water treatment by water suppliers. Its effectiveness stems from its strong oxidative properties. When chlorine is added to water, it undergoes a reaction that produces hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypochlorite ions (OCl⁻), depending on the pH of the water. Hypochlorous acid is particularly effective against pathogens. It can penetrate the cell walls of bacteria and viruses, where it disrupts vital cellular functions and structures, including enzymes and nucleic acids. This disruption leads to the inactivation of the pathogen.

The effectiveness of chlorine is influenced by several factors including the pH of the water, temperature, concentration of chlorine, and the presence of organic and inorganic matter which can consume chlorine before it reaches pathogens.

2. Monochloramine (NH₂Cl)

Monochloramine is another chemical disinfectant used in water treatment, formed when ammonia is added to water containing free chlorine. Unlike chlorine, monochloramine is a weaker oxidant, which makes it less reactive with organic compounds in the water. This quality reduces the formation of potentially harmful disinfection by-products (DBPs) like trihalomethanes.

The disinfection mechanism of monochloramine is similar to that of chlorine in that it also targets the cellular components of pathogens. However, because it is a weaker oxidant, it acts more slowly and can maintain its disinfectant properties longer in the water distribution system. This extended action makes monochloramine particularly valuable in maintaining water quality over large or complex water distribution systems where water remains stationary for extended periods.

3. Chlorine Dioxide (ClO₂)

Chlorine dioxide is a potent oxidizing agent used in water treatment (usually as a secondary disinfectant), distinct from chlorine because it exists as a true gas dissolved in water and does not hydrolyze to form acids or ions. It is especially effective against viruses, bacteria, and protozoan cysts. Its mechanism of action involves the disruption of protein synthesis within the pathogen cells, effectively stopping their growth and survival.

Chlorine dioxide is highly effective in controlling biofilms in water distribution systems, which are a common refuge and breeding ground for pathogens. Furthermore, like monochloramine, chlorine dioxide is less likely to form harmful (disinfectant byproducts) DBPs in the disinfection process.

4. HydroTreat™

HydroTreat™ from IWC Innovations is a patented remediation advanced oxidation process (AOP) component used to mitigate and prevent Legionella growth events in water systems. This product is beneficial in its ability to rapidly impact biofilms—complex structures that house bacteria like Legionella, making them resistant to standard treatments like chlorination. Biofilms can provide protective environments that can shield Legionella from disinfectants and heat, allowing them to survive and proliferate even after conventional treatments have been applied. The HydroTreat™ process not only targets these biofilms effectively but also aids in removing them, thereby reducing the risk of future Legionella growth significantly.

This treatment component paired with IWC Innovations’ remediation treatment method is particularly notable for its efficiency and minimal impact on business operations, capable of remediating a building's water system of Legionella pneumophila in as little as four hours, with little to no downtime required. This rapid action contrasts sharply with traditional methods such as hyper-chlorination or heat and flush processes, which are more time-consuming, disruptive, and often less effective in penetrating biofilms. Moreover, the HydroTreat™ approach helps prevent new colonies of Legionella from forming, providing a long-term solution to maintaining water safety.


 

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Choosing the Right Disinfectant for Safety and Efficiency

The choice of disinfectant in water treatment depends on various factors including the nature of the water being treated, the specific pathogens present, the infrastructure of the water system, and regulatory standards. Chlorine is valued for its potency and quick action, monochloramine for its stability and reduced by-product formation, and chlorine dioxide for its efficacy against a wide range of pathogens and its ability to penetrate biofilms. HydroTreat™ is a contender in this space by offering advantages from each of the off-the-shelf standard-of-practice disinfectants. Understanding the mechanisms by which these disinfectants act helps in optimizing their use to ensure public health safety through clean drinking water.

By appropriately applying these disinfectants, water treatment professionals can tailor their approach to meet both safety standards and operational needs, ensuring that the public receives clean, safe water with minimal adverse effects.