As the pioneers of copper-silver ionization technology, we pride ourselves on being the leading industry experts in copper-silver ionization. In this blog, we answer the top 10 most-asked questions about copper-silver ionization.
1. What is copper-silver ionization?
Copper-silver ionization is a non-oxidant water treatment technology regarded as the most clinically effective prevention and remediation solution for Legionella, the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease (Legionellosis). During this treatment, ions are systematically introduced into the water using a byproduct-free method to rid the plumbing infrastructure of Legionella bacteria and other waterborne pathogens.
2. How does copper-silver ionization work?
Copper-silver ionization is an electrolysis process that introduces positively charged copper and silver ions into the water supply as current is applied across copper and silver electrodes. The positive ions bind to the negative cell walls of bacteria, causing the protein in the cell wall to break down, effectively inactivating and eliminating the bacteria.
3. Why is copper-silver ionization better than other water treatment solutions?
Copper-silver ionization is an effective disinfection process that does not require chlorine, unsafe consumables, or dangerous by-products. This disinfection method is effective at the point of entry and in both hot and cold-water temperatures, unlike chlorine-based technologies whose disinfectant rapidly dissipates in hot water environments rendering it ineffective. Copper silver ionization protects your building by preventing damage to the plumbing infrastructure and creating the safest environment for clinical patients. Unlike others in the industry, it also provides up to 90 days of residual protection after the system is shut off. The ions continue to circulate and actively eliminate Legionella and other waterborne pathogens.
4. What do I need to consider when installing a copper-silver ionization system?
Installation in the United States will require 110V power capability. LiquiTech offers several configurations based on the needs of your specific facility. Each of our systems is sized to meet your particular water demands. The flow cells are typically installed on a bypass at the point of entry or hot water recirculation loop, and the controller and flow meter can be mounted on a wall separate from the flow cell location. We can also provide a rack-mounted system with inlet and outlet connections. The maintenance of our copper-silver ionization is relatively minimal. Every month, LiquiTech provides a customized Strategic Service Alliance (SSA) plan to ensure your facility’s water protection. LiquiTech personnel can provide all or a portion of the required service in conjunction with the available support from the facility.
5. What does LiquiTech need from me to price out a copper-silver ionization system?
LiquiTech will custom design a system based on the water consumption demands of your facility. You will begin with a LiquiTech representative who works with you to identify the specifics of your facility’s water system. Our engineers use this information to design the specific system components required to meet the water demands of your facility.
6. Does copper-silver ionization have harmful disinfection by-products or side effects?
Copper-silver ionization has no disinfection by-products or side effects. During copper-silver ionization, copper and silver are added to the water supply at doses of approximately 0.3-0.4 ppm and 30-40 ppb, respectively. This dosage is lower than the maximum amount set by the EPA. This ensures complete safety when utilizing our method by preventing all harmful by-products, carcinogenic risks, and side effects.
7. Does pH affect the efficacy of copper-silver ionization?
No pH level has hindered the efficacy of any LiquiTech system in our 25 years of experience. We have successfully treated water with a pH above nine without complications.
8. Can I use copper-silver ionization effectively on cold water systems?
Yes. Copper-silver ions are not affected by water temperature. They have been used successfully in hot and cold-water applications, unlike chlorine and chlorine dioxide, which dissipate in warmer water temperatures.
9. How long does it take to kill Legionella?
While anything can easily be killed in a lab or a petri dish, at LiquiTech, we measure our success by our ability to eliminate the bacteria to non-detectable levels in actual field applications. LiquiTech has consistently demonstrated a superior ability to take a facility contaminated with Legionella and achieve non-detect status within 72 hours of installation. Our competitors have 12 to 24 months to ‘gain control’ in an actual field application and, to this day, will not claim non-detect as an achievable and sustainable capability.
10. Is copper-silver ionization effective against other bacteria?
Yes, copper-silver ionization has been tested and proven to be effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms such as Pseudomonas and Mycobacterium, all of which have been eradicated with our disinfection process. We have also drastically reduced pinhole leak problems related to microbial-induced corrosion. There is no evidence that bacteria have developed resistance to copper and silver ions, contrary to chlorine-based treatments, which are only effective against selective bacteria.
