Understanding what is found within the water is the first step in creating an effective water treatment system.
n Updates to Canadian allowable iron levels
n PFAS in water, part 2
n Pathogens in plumbing systems
n Water treatment products
Our very first Water Treatment Technical Training Day will be launching on June 4th. Geared towards water treatment and quality technicians, this session will feature technical training around the components found in potablewater,howtotreatit,andsomuchmore.
Theonlineeventwillincludekeynotepresentationsandeducational seminars. Over the five-hourtechnicaltrainingday,attendeescanlearn from some of the industry experts within the water treatment industry Thesetrainingsessionswillprovidebenefitsforthosenewto thetrades andtheveteraninstaller.Therewillbenosalespitches.Instead,itwillfocus onengagementandprovidingtrainingonsomeofthelatesttechnology Currently,wehavetwoconfirmedmanufacturersspeakingatourevent —CanatureWaterGroupandSummit.ThiswillbethesecondTechnical TrainingDaythatthePlumbing&HVACteamwillbehostingin2025. Recently, I was able to participate in the Canadian Water Quality Association’s (CWQA) Groundwater Expo in Truro, Nova Scotia. The event helped open my eyes to the complicated procedures and technical understandings required with water treatment products. It also opened my eyes towards the number of people who simply do not test their potable water at home. I was surprised to learn that water testing should beconductedonprivatewatersystemseverysixmonthswhenitcomesto bacteriaandeverytwoyearsforchemicalproperties.
During the one presentation, where I learned that fact, I messaged my Dad to see when the last time he had tested their well water. Like so many other people in Canada, he has never tested his water once. Hopefully he will listen to my urging to test his water.
One of my favourite parts of the conference involved a workshop. Different tables of people were given a real-life case study on a water treatment installation. It was each group’s task to come up with a solution towards the problem at hand. At the end, the entire group had one case study that we went over to come up with a water treatment solution.
These types of training opportunities are so important. The industry is ever changing and evolving, and it’s up to the technicians to ensure that they are familiar with the systems they are installing and determine the best solutions for your customers.
Evolution doesn’t come easy in the built environment; considerations for Legionella and other pathogens in complex systems must alter the way we think.
By Kevin Wong
Each time a new pathogen is discovered, the plumbing industry reacts by altering the way water systems are managed. For example, take a look at the learnings from the Walkerton, Ont. event. E. coli was found in the source water, which resulted in a better understanding of the practices surrounding securing the source. The SARs outbreak altered the way the industry looks at drain lines and trap seals; the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of clear indoor air. Suffice it to say, this is an always evolving discipline.
Evolution has always been in the understanding of how we view water and overall health and safety. It has changed our views around disinfection, water treatment, and understanding of how water behaves. In the future, it will also shift how we plumb systems, design complex water systems, apply water treatment, and utilize resources. This doesn’t come easily or without resistance. Unfortunately, people have had to die for change to come to fruition.
With Walkerton, residents in that town had to get sick before changes
"What we do know about plumbing and piping size is that we tend to oversize. This results in a number of issues, including water sitting still for hours and maybe even days at a time. When water stagnates, it loses energy and in those low-energy states, it is the perfect space for stuff to grow."
were made to regulations, even that took decades to enact.
Today, with our aging population, waterborne pathogens, airborne pathogens and risks were brought to the forefront with Legionella outbreaks in Quebec City in 2014 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is driving changes in understanding how driving policy for indoor environmental quality (IEQ), including air and water safety, interacts with the risky end user.
When the industry throws around terms like IEQ, this doesn’t just mean safe water and air, but also comfort, noise, and, as we have discovered recently in Canada for the first time, cooling requirements.
Innovation took deaths from heat stroke in Vancouver increasing over a few years with successive heat waves and no cooling in dense high-rise environments.
As we delve into the development of the 2030 Building Codes for Canada in this new cycle, we have our work cut out for us, including tackling the Legionella aspects, new indoor air quality aspects learned after COVID, and cooling/air conditioning on top of developing integrated code for new technologies like heat pumps. All with an eye out for our unique Canadian environment.
This is a very complex and evolving discipline in plumbing science. We know that IAPMO is redeveloping the Hunter’s Curve and modernizing it. But with almost 30 years of U.S. EPA WaterSense decreasing outflow requirements for fixtures and appliances, there has been no changes to pipe sizing. I use the outflow word purposefully because the difference between volumetric water concerns in the pipes of the distribution system versus what the fixtures need is important.
We haven’t reviewed pipe sizing mathematics since the 1940s with Roy Hunter, famous for the Hunter’s Curve, but Hunter really designed that work to understand the needs of a stadium using all of the bathrooms at an intermission and sizing the pipe accordingly to keep those fixtures working.
He didn’t consider the oversized piping aspects when that stadium was vacant for 90 per cent of its life. Apparently, Legionella, biofilms, and pathogen aspects such as the risk of deadheads were not a thing in the 40s.
It is only now, in relatively modern times, that IAPMO has been exploring the original work and trying to apply it to modern-day buildings and codes.
What we do know about plumbing and piping size is that we tend to oversize. This results in a number of issues, including water sitting still for hours and maybe even days at a time. When water stagnates, it loses energy and in those
low-energy states, it is the perfect space for stuff to grow. Who knew!
Warm still water is where life began billions of years ago. Who knew that the concept would still be applicable today? Water stagnation in a building is a major concern for biofilm growth and the harbouring of deadly pathogens such as Legionella. This also leads to the rise of finding mitigating strategies to reduce biofilms, including flushing and chemicals. Kill the home, kill the bug!
Up until 2015 in Canada, water treatment and drinking water systems were not included in the codes. With the development of the CSA B483.1c standard and subsequent codification, water treatment and disinfection were only thought of in terms of the utility outside the building, with no consideration of the quality of the water entering the building. There were no codified options to treat the water inside the building.
When that changed, there was a whole industry supporting water treatment, water disinfections, and unique technology, such as UV that managed the topic of the building.
The increase of stagnant water, the lack of supplementary water treatment and disinfection, and the use of large pipe systems, resulted in building water designs where water residency time was inordinately high. In municipal systems, water has a residency time measured in hours and scalable for high demand periods. But in commercial, institutional, or other buildings where demand periods may fluctuate more frequently, water could sit for days, losing its chlorine residual or growing bacteria. As more people have studied this, it has been identified as a area of concern.
In complex water systems in big buildings, there may be a part of the water system that is either underutilized, unbalanced, or used in a very hydrodynamic
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This government building was found to have Legionella, the first task was determining where the water was.
situation. We have not modernized how we design water systems in decades, looking to keep water hot enough to kill off pathogens and being cool enough to not scald the user. In a home, this is a relatively easy conversation but as the building gets more complex, it gets harder.
Modernizing water systems is a bit of a misnomer. Electrical, gas, lighting, and other disciplines all have connections to the building automation system and where measured, it can be managed. Plumbing comparatively is in the dark ages. Understanding how water moves in the building and actuating it can manage a lot of these challenges. Modernizing the mode, using new technologies and changing how the trades do the work of plumbing needs to be changed.
Addressing all these will address the risk of Legionella in the system and the hazard it poses to the endpoint user.
Kevin Wong is the Canadian codes manager at GF Building Flow Solutions - Americas (formerly Uponor). Previously, he spent a 12-year tenure as the technological manager for CIPH and the executive director of the CWQA. He is actively involved in various U.S., Canadian, and international standards/codes committees, including NSF 61& NSF 372 (low lead), CSA B64 (backflow), and WQA committees (water treatment) .
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Commercial softeners and backwashing filtration system
Watts, North Andover, Massachusetts, launches its Locksmith commercial softeners and backwashing filtration system line to market. This line features Watts’ new Locksmith controller with features to meet the needs of virtually any commercial water treatment application. The Locksmith line is available in a broad range of 1.5inch and two-inch model options. The controller is highly configurable, with customizable programming that can be easily tailored to specific application needs.
Watts u www.watts.com
Condair, Ottawa, Ont., unveils its newest whole-home humidifier solution for customers. The HumiLife is a flexible wholehome humidifier that facilitates individual custom humidity levels and provides optimum humidity adapted to the needs of each room. The HumiLife steam humidifiers generate hygienic, atmospheric steam by boiling water at 100 C, which effectively kills all germs and bacteria in the water. The humidifier is equipped with a sensor that measures the relative humidity and maintains the humidifier output consistently at the desired set-point and an integrated UV lamp.
Condair u www.condair.com
EcoWater Systems, Eagan, Minnesota, announces the introduction of its 2800 series water softeners, which includes the ESD2802R30 and ESD2802R39. These water softeners utilize patented AI technology to learn about a home’s water usage and optimize regeneration only when needed. The 2800 series water softener’s key features include salt monitoring water usage insights and high flow rate valve. Both the ESD2802R30 and the ESD2802R39 have a salt storage capacity of 300 pounds and supply water pressure limits of 20 to 125 psi.
EcoWater Systems u www.ecowater.com
By Jason Jackson
The water treatment industry has identified PFAS, or scientifically known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, as a contaminant of concern. Technology has been created to address the removal of PFAS from potable water. As we explored in Part 1 of this series, we now understand that exposure should be monitored and sampled to better understand the extent PFAS can affect human health.
What we know is that the maximum allowable concentration and limits are trending lower or to non-detect. Cost, footprint, capabilities, and the availability of technologies typically dictate the best option for the removal of these forever chemicals.
One such method of removal is ion exchange; this is an effective approach to removing PFOA and PFOS due to their chemical structures. PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, is a synthetic chemical known for its persistence in the environment and potential health concerns. PFOS, or perfluorooctane sulfonate, is also a synthetic chemical that is known for its persistence and bioaccumulation in the environment and potential health concerns. Both fall under the larger family of PFAS.
These chemicals have a hydrophilic, ionized “head” (negatively charged carboxylic group in PFOA and sulfonic group in PFOS) that is stable across drinking water pH levels, making anion exchange resins suitable for their removal.
The hydrophilic “tail” of a PFAS structure is non-ionized in nature, which means removal can be achieved by the adsorption mechanism, such as
with granular activated carbon (GAC) and synthetic adsorbents. Ion exchange is designed to take advantage of both the hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties of the molecule, so the mechanism of removal with resin is by both ion exchange and adsorption.
Sulfonic acids are removed more easily than carboxylic acids; longer chains are removed more easily than shorter chains. The selection and design of an ion exchange option for PFAS removal require certain points worth noting.
A complete and balanced water chemistry is required to define pretreatment needs and determine throughput; this includes pH, and a balanced anion and cation analysis.
Changes in water chemistry will affect the longevity of resin. Background water quality will help determine operational treatment costs. Some elements within the water that any water treatment professional will need to gauge are operational flow rate, operational schedule, sulfate, nitrate (as N), nitrate (as CaCO3), alkalinity, chloride, fluoride, perchlorate, arsenic, hexavalent chromium, uranium, calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, and manganese.
Other parameters necessary to gather water quality data include potential foulants or competition, like iron, manganese, total suspended solids, oil and grease, and perchlorate. Finally, the specific PFAS levels and treatment goals need to be identified. This includes: PFBA (ng/l), PFPeA (ng/l), PFHxA (ng/l), PFOA (ng/l), PFNA (ng/l), PFBS (ng/l), PFHxS (ng/l), PFHpS (ng/l), PFOS (ng/l), and GenX (ng/l).
With proper analysis, water treatment technicians can understand whether ion exchange is a viable option. System design would be the next consideration. Here are some of the critical elements for vessel design to treat PFAS using ion exchange resin. The first is bed depth; there needs to be three ft. minimum up to 12 GPM/ft2, and 3.7 ft. minimum above 12 GPM/ft2 design flows. The linear velocity should be within the range of eight to 18 GP/ft2, and the specific flow rate should be between one and five GPM/ft3. The empty bed contact time (EBCT) should be within 1.5 to 2.5 minutes of contact for the lead resin bed.
Ion exchange is faster when compared to GAC, with GAC typically requiring eight to 13 minutes in the lead vessel. Resin vessels must be properly designed to handle the faster hydraulics indicated by the above requirements. Whether designing a new resin system or retrofitting another media vessel for resin use, designs also need to evaluate a slew of other parameters. This includes sizing new piping or evaluating existing piping for accommodating
The hydrophilic “tail” of a PFAS structure is non-ionized in nature, which means removal can be achieved by the adsorption mechanism.
the maximum flow rate and ensuring that influent distributors to the resin vessels are properly designed to distribute the water flow evenly over the cross-section of the vessels — this achieves plug flow or uniform distribution of the water through the resin bed and avoids channelling and premature breakthrough of PFAS.
"Ion exchange is designed to take advantage of both the hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties of the molecule; so, the mechanism of removal with resin is by both ion exchange and adsorption."
Additionally, the design needs to ensure that the slot size of the effluent distributors can retain the resin, ensure vessels are lined with a National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) approved coating and all other components are NSF-compliant, sample ports be installed at 25, 50, and 75 per cent of the resin depth, and sample ports allow monitoring of the PFAS loading profile.
Preferably, vessel design should also include both a side manway and a top manway. These make it easier to inspect the vessel and resin bed.
PFAS system design is one of the many steps in the process. Modelling, piloting, testing and then implementation will ensure that the level of PFAS is reduced and tested to non-detect.
Jason Jackson, the senior technical sales specialist for Purolite Ontario and Eastern Canada. With over 25 years of experience in the water/ wastewater and energy sectors as a business owner, licensed plumber, licensed pump installer mechanic, municipal water system operator, backflow and cross connection specialist, well technician, CWQA master water specialist, fuels technician, and refrigeration plant operator. He can be reached at jason.jackson@ecolab.com.
Iron poses no direct harm to human health when found in drinking water, however, there could be other adverse effects to the plumbing system.
By John Cardiff
The new objective of less than or equal to 0.1 mg/L of iron is intended to improve confidence in Canadian drinking water and minimize discoloured water events due to iron.
When there is a reddish-brown tint to the colour of water, a distinct metallic taste, foul smell, or visible sediment or discolouration, there could be a chance that iron might be found in the drinking water. Iron itself isn’t a direct harm to human health, but it can help organisms to grow.
On Dec. 27, Health Canada, in collaboration with the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on drinking water, published an updated aesthetic objective (AO) for total iron in Canadian drinking water. The new objective of less than or equal to 0.1 mg/L is intended to improve confidence in Canadian drinking water and minimize discoloured water events due to iron. Health Canada also notes that when both iron and manganese (Mn) are present, the removal of iron generally improves the removal of Mn and thus will reduce the health risks associated with this metal. The previous guideline for iron in Canadian drinking water was less than or equal to 0.3 mg/L.
For municipal water treatment systems, the new objective will also help ensure that disinfectant residual is maintained throughout distribution and improve consumer confidence in drinking water quality. In Canada, iron has an aesthetic objective in drinking water but not a maximum acceptable concentration.
Food is the main source of iron for Canadians and drinking water accounts for less than 10 per cent of our total daily iron intake. As such, nonheme iron (iron that is primarily found in plant-based foods) in drinking water is not expected to cause significant systemic health effects in healthy individuals but can cause laundry and fixture staining, biofilm growth in pipes and water systems, bad or metallic taste in drinking water, and plumbing issues. An upper level (UL) of 45 mg per day for total intake of iron for adults (14 and over) and 40 mg per day for children (13 and younger) has been established by Health Canada.
Before choosing a treatment method, it is essential to determine the type of iron present in the water. The most common forms of iron found in drinking water are ferric oxides and hydroxides, and ferrous iron. Ferric oxides and hydroxides can’t be dissolved and are commonly called red water iron because discolouration is visible from the faucet. Ferrous iron is commonly called clear water iron and is clear from the faucet but eventually oxidizes causing particulates to settle to the bottom of a glass.
It’s important to choose water treatment systems that have been certified by an accredited certification body as meeting the appropriate NSF International Standard/American National Standards Institute (NSF/ANSI) for drinking water treatment units. Certification ensures that materials in the system adhere to material safety standards and include performance requirements that specify the removal that must be achieved for specific contaminants. NSF/ANSI Standard 42, Drinking Water Treatment Units—Aesthetic Effects, is applicable for iron removal from drinking water. For a drinking water system to be certified to Standard 42 for iron removal, it must be capable of reducing an average influent concentration to a maximum final concentration of 0.3 mg/L, according to NSF International.
When purchasing equipment, look for these certification organizations that are accredited in Canada: CSA Group, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), NSF International, Water Quality Association (WQA), UL LLC, Bureau de Normalization du Québec, and ALS Laboratories.
Selecting the most effective treatment system for iron removal depends on a variety of factors, including the concentration and form of iron, the water composition, and the presence of other contaminants like manganese, sulphide or ammonia. When selecting a system, consider the total iron in the water using this formula: Total iron = Iron ppm x one plus manganese ppm x two.
Whole home air oxidization filters are a popular and reliable choice for homeowners because they don’t involve ongoing use of chemicals. They use air to convert dissolved iron into a solid form
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and then remove it through filtration. These types of filters are designed to treat water with high iron levels.
Before selecting a system, consider whether a two-tank or single-tank air oxidization filter is best for the application. Two-tank systems, one tank for air and a second tank for media have higher iron removal capacities and are more efficient than single-tank systems because they require less frequent regeneration. Single tank systems are ideal solutions for water with lower iron content and smaller spaces.
Birm (a catalytic filtration media) promotes iron oxidation and is used when dissolved oxygen is present. It is a low-maintenance option but requires the right water chemistry for optimal performance.
Greensand filters can also be used for residential iron removal. These systems have a filter medium with a manganese oxide coating that adsorbs and then oxidizes dissolved iron. Often called manganese greensand filters,
they require significant maintenance, including frequent regeneration with an oxidant and regular backwashing to remove oxidized iron particles. When not operated or maintained properly, greensand filters can release manganese into the tap water. It is important to note that potassium permanganate is a Class A precursor and controlled substance by Health Canada and that regulatory updates have introduced more stringent requirements regarding its distribution.
Another POE filtration option is a conventional water softener. While designed specifically to remove hardness, ion exchange water softeners can also remove moderate levels of ferrous iron. It is important to keep in mind that softener resin is selective towards hardness cations (calcium and magnesium) so the harder the water is, the less effective the softener will be at removing iron. When installing a water softener that will also reduce iron, inform the homeowner that the iron will shorten the life of the softening resin causing more frequent replacements. Regular use of a resin cleaner is recommended in these applications.
For extreme problem water applications, chemical injection systems may be recommended to treat exceptionally high levels of manganese, tannins, or hydrogen sulphide in combination with iron.
Reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water treatment systems are best suited to applications where there are concerns about other contaminants in the drinking water and very low levels of iron. While RO technology has been proven effective at removing low levels of iron at the tap, it is important to consider the service, maintenance, and cost implications of using it for this purpose. Over the course of several years, a point-of-entry iron filter may be a more affordable option, even if the upfront cost is higher.
Prior to installation, water testing and system sizing are required. Properly sizing an iron filter requires you to know the service flow rate, well pump output, the oxidation demands of the water and that the well is capable of providing the volume of water needed for backwash and rinse. Asking your equipment manufacturer to recommend the right system and size based on the water test results and application parameters is the best way to ensure the system performs as expected.
To ensure long-term performance, regular maintenance is required for all iron filters. When installing iron filters, review the maintenance requirements with the homeowners or set up a service call schedule.
Whole home air oxidization filters are a popular and reliable choice for homeowners because they don’t involve ongoing use of chemicals.
Selecting the right treatment system to remove iron is crucial for maintaining water quality, protecting plumbing systems, and enhancing overall water taste and usability. Helping your customers invest in a certified system and then adhere to a strict maintenance schedule will provide longterm benefits for households relying on private wells.
John Cardiff has been in the water treatment industry for 42 years starting with Water Conditioning Canada Ltd., now known as Canature WaterGroup (CWG). He is the executive vice president of sales and business development for North America. Cardiff leads CWG’s sales teams across all brands, customer service, and customer and employee training departments, as well as the commercial industrial engineering division.