Cooling Towers: The Hidden Legionella Risk No One Talks About Most people in FM (including engineers) assume cooling towers are “safe” because they confuse them with closed chilled-water loops. But cooling towers are not closed systems. They’re open-air, warm-water, aerosol-generating machines — and that makes them one of the highest-risk systems for Legionella worldwide. (a waterborne bacterium that causes Legionnaires' disease—a severe form of pneumonia—when inhaled in aerosolized droplets from contaminated water systems). Here’s the technical truth: 🔹 Why cooling towers can spread Legionella Cooling towers operate at 28–35°C, the perfect growth zone for Legionella bacteria. They mix warm water with air and create aerosols through evaporation. Even with drift eliminators, small droplets escape. These can enter: • Fresh air AHU intakes • Roof areas • Nearby public spaces • Adjacent buildings And that’s how occupants (or people walking nearby) breathe contaminated droplets. ...
What is pH in Water?
pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity (basicity) of water. It is one of the most fundamental indicators of water quality
-The Scale: pH is measured on a logarithmic scale from 0 to 14.3
-pH 7.0 is Neutral (pure water).
-pH below 7.0 is Acidic.
-pH above 7.0 is Alkaline (or Basic).
The term "pH" stands for the potential of Hydrogen, and it reflects the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in the water. For every unit you move on the pH scale, the concentration of H+ changes by a factor of ten.
Recommended Range for Drinking Water
- The general recommended range for safe and aesthetically pleasing drinking water is pH 6.5 to 8.5 (according to the U.S. EPA and WHO guidelines).
🛡️ Why We Maintain pH in Water Systems
Maintaining a controlled pH level is crucial for both public health and the integrity of the water distribution system.
1. Corrosion Control (Preventing Toxic Leaching)
The Problem with Low pH (Acidic Water): Water that is too acidic (typically below 6.5) is corrosive. It can dissolve and leach metals like lead, copper, zinc, and iron from pipes, plumbing fixtures, and service lines into the drinking water.
The Benefit of Neutral/Slightly Alkaline pH: Keeping the pH in the optimal range (6.5 to 8.5) minimizes corrosion, which is essential to prevent heavy metal contamination that poses serious health risks, particularly to children and pregnant women.
The Problem with High pH (Alkaline Water): When the pH is too high (too alkaline, like above 8.0), the chlorine's disinfecting power is significantly reduced, requiring higher doses of chemicals and increasing the risk of incomplete pathogen removal.18
2. Preventing Scaling and System Damage
The Problem with High pH (Alkaline Water): Water that is excessively alkaline (high pH) and contains high mineral levels (high hardness) can lead to scaling. Scaling is the buildup of mineral deposits (like calcium carbonate) on the inside of pipes, fixtures, and appliances.
Consequences: Scaling reduces the internal diameter of pipes, restricts water flow, increases energy costs for heating water, and damages appliances like water heaters.
3. Taste and Aesthetics
Low pH (Acidic): Can give water a metallic, bitter, or sour taste.23 It can also cause staining (e.g., blue-green stains from copper corrosion).
High pH (Alkaline): Can give water a soapy or baking soda-like taste and a slippery feel.
In summary, water utilities precisely control pH throughout the treatment and distribution process to ensure effective disinfection, protect plumbing infrastructure from corrosion and scaling, and maintain safe, high-quality drinking water.
Would you like to know more about the water treatment processes used to adjust and maintain pH?
hashtag#water hashtag#Dewa hashtag#uae hashtag#ph hashtag#tds hashtag#chiligan hashtag#filter hashtag#co2 hashtag#acid hashtag#helth hashtag#aqua hashtag#massafi hashtag#maidubai hashtag#oasiss hashtag#abudhabiwater hashtag#health hashtag#sefty hashtag#Ro
-The Scale: pH is measured on a logarithmic scale from 0 to 14.3
-pH 7.0 is Neutral (pure water).
-pH below 7.0 is Acidic.
-pH above 7.0 is Alkaline (or Basic).
The term "pH" stands for the potential of Hydrogen, and it reflects the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in the water. For every unit you move on the pH scale, the concentration of H+ changes by a factor of ten.
Recommended Range for Drinking Water
- The general recommended range for safe and aesthetically pleasing drinking water is pH 6.5 to 8.5 (according to the U.S. EPA and WHO guidelines).
🛡️ Why We Maintain pH in Water Systems
Maintaining a controlled pH level is crucial for both public health and the integrity of the water distribution system.
1. Corrosion Control (Preventing Toxic Leaching)
The Problem with Low pH (Acidic Water): Water that is too acidic (typically below 6.5) is corrosive. It can dissolve and leach metals like lead, copper, zinc, and iron from pipes, plumbing fixtures, and service lines into the drinking water.
The Benefit of Neutral/Slightly Alkaline pH: Keeping the pH in the optimal range (6.5 to 8.5) minimizes corrosion, which is essential to prevent heavy metal contamination that poses serious health risks, particularly to children and pregnant women.
The Problem with High pH (Alkaline Water): When the pH is too high (too alkaline, like above 8.0), the chlorine's disinfecting power is significantly reduced, requiring higher doses of chemicals and increasing the risk of incomplete pathogen removal.18
2. Preventing Scaling and System Damage
The Problem with High pH (Alkaline Water): Water that is excessively alkaline (high pH) and contains high mineral levels (high hardness) can lead to scaling. Scaling is the buildup of mineral deposits (like calcium carbonate) on the inside of pipes, fixtures, and appliances.
Consequences: Scaling reduces the internal diameter of pipes, restricts water flow, increases energy costs for heating water, and damages appliances like water heaters.
3. Taste and Aesthetics
Low pH (Acidic): Can give water a metallic, bitter, or sour taste.23 It can also cause staining (e.g., blue-green stains from copper corrosion).
High pH (Alkaline): Can give water a soapy or baking soda-like taste and a slippery feel.
In summary, water utilities precisely control pH throughout the treatment and distribution process to ensure effective disinfection, protect plumbing infrastructure from corrosion and scaling, and maintain safe, high-quality drinking water.
Would you like to know more about the water treatment processes used to adjust and maintain pH?
hashtag#water hashtag#Dewa hashtag#uae hashtag#ph hashtag#tds hashtag#chiligan hashtag#filter hashtag#co2 hashtag#acid hashtag#helth hashtag#aqua hashtag#massafi hashtag#maidubai hashtag#oasiss hashtag#abudhabiwater hashtag#health hashtag#sefty hashtag#Ro
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