Water Supply
Water Distribution System Audit
By Blair Cox
Jun 21, 2007 - 12:57:38 PM

Fredericton, Canada -- In April 2007, a site survey of a spa outside of Paris, France, was jointly performed by LuminUltra Technologies Ltd. and AQUA-tools. The spa utilizes untreated mineral water (from ground wells) in its daily operation. The source water is distributed to 40+ stations for therapeutic purposes. One week prior to the site audit, two stations had tested positive for pathogenic organisms in the form of Pseudomonas.

The goal of the site audit was to use LuminUltra’s Quench-Gone Aqueous (QGA) test kit as a means to locate the source and nature of the contamination using a HACCP-style audit, on the fresh water and various water distribution branches.

Sample Points

Samples were taken from the Cold and Hot water inlet of each bank.


Once testing was complete at each location in the network, the results immediately indicated that the feed water was not the source of contamination. Further inspection showed that elevated microbial content originates in branch #2L and carries over to branch #3 in the hot water system only. Therefore, rather than disinfecting the entire water network, additional treatment is only necessary in the hot water lines of Bank #2L and #3 to eliminate the biological contamination.


Conclusions

The results obtained using the QGA kit clearly indicated the source (microbial build-up, or biofilm) and nature (localized) of the water contamination in less than two hours. Using this methodology, any operator of any water system can detect contamination in the same manner and take action to correct the problem on the same day. Routine testing of critical control points (for example, feed water, Bank #2L) facilitates preventative maintenance to maintain compliance.


Since elevated biomass counts heighten the risk of pathogen growth, it is essential that targets for total microbial content are established and maintained to protect public health. A monitoring program such as this can be easily established for any water system using LuminUltra’s QGA technology.

About Luminultra Technologies

LuminUltra Technologies Ltd. specializes in the development, sales, and service of innovative biological monitoring technologies. The company's main focus is the manufacture and support of test kits based on the measurement of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) in any type of industrial and municipal water.

For more information contact:
Luminultra Technologies Ltd.
440 King Street, King Tower, Suite 630
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Canada E3B 5H8
Telephone: 506-459-8777
Fax: 506-453-9860
Web site: http://www.luminultra.com/



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