Customers that use the range of chemicals that B & V  produce to alleviate the problems of scale, corrosion and biological fouling in water systems often require ancillary services that ensure the trouble free application of our chemicals. Our trained qualified chemists will carry out the appropriate chemical and microbiological tests to maintain water conditions.

Boiler Water Testing

The tests carried out on site using a portable laboratory follow the guidelines as stated in British Standard 2486 and would typically consist of:

• Hardness
• Alkalinity
• Oxygen scavenger such as sulphite
• pH
• Total dissolved solids
• Iron
• Condensate testing
• Quality of water from softener etc

A service report is issued to the client and any remedial action discussed and implemented so that scale and corrosion free conditions are maintained in the boiler and condensate system.

Cooling Water Testing

Tests are carried out on site with a portable laboratory at a minimum of monthly intervals and would typically consist of:

• Hardness
• pH
• Alkalinity
• Corrosion or scale inhibitor level
• Total dissolved solids
• Iron
• Chloride
• Dip slide for biological content
• Water quality from softener etc 

In order to comply with the requirements of the H.S.E. on the operation of cooling towers, the test results and any remedial action are discussed with the client and a service report issued and stored in the Cooling Tower Logbook.

B & V has been a member of the Legionella Control Association for legionella service providers since its' inception in July 1999.

Water Services Hygiene and Monitoring

Water hygiene, whether it is for drinking water or for hot and cold water services is subject to compliance with  legislation such as the COSSH Regulations 1999, the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2001, the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 and the Approved Code of Practice 'The control of legionella in water systems'  L8.

B & V are able to chemically and microbiologically test and examine water systems to ensure that the quality of the water no matter what it is used for is fit for the purpose and does not constitute a hazard to health. In addition, for hot and cold water services to comply with L8 the tests should also be part of a complete control programme that will involve temperature monitoring, cleaning and disinfection etc (see below)

Drinking Water

Drinking water in workplaces can be provided from a variety of sources such as mains fed taps, private water supplies, vending machines, bottled water dispensers and sometimes from water storage cisterns (tanks).  B & V can regularly analyse the microbiological content of drinking water for Total Viable Count (TVC), coliforms, E. Coli, pseudomonas auriginosa and also odour, taste and turbity if required. The tests and monitoring to be carried out will depend upon the delivery method of the water

Mains water

There should not be any problems with water supplied from a direct mains water pressure system.

Private water supplies

Private water supplies are those that are not provided by a statutory undertaker, that is, a water company, and tend to serve isolated, remote properties, small communities or factories.The source could be from springs, wells, borehole, streams, rivers, lakes or ponds  Private water supplies can pose a threat to health unless they are properly protected and treated. They can become contaminated with bacteria, protozoa, and parasites. These are not necessarily harmful, but there is a chance that the supply could be infected with contaminants that are dangerous to some people. Private supplies are more likely to be contaminated because they are more vulnerable to infection, and are not treated to the same standard as public supplies.They are classified as either Category 1, for domestic purposes, or Category 2, for food production purposes, for example in canteens and hostels.

All private supplies must be sampled on a regular basis for a range of bacteriological and chemical contaminants and these tests need to be carried by the local authority. The frequency of these tests is laid down in the Private Water Supplies Regulations, and varies according to the size of supply. The costs of sampling and analysis are passed on to the person responsible for the supply.

For more information on Private Water Supply Regulations 1991 visit the Drinking water inspectorate website. 

If the  supply is contaminated, or is likely to become contaminated,  a water treatment system. can be installed. There is a range of treatment methods available, contact us for advice about which one to choose. The most common form of treatment is an ultra-violet sterilizer which uses U-V light to kill bacteria in the water.

Vending machines, bottled water coolers & plumbed in water coolers

Vending machines and water cooled dispensers deliver water for hot water drinks machines and for cold water drinking. Many cold water samples from these machines give poor microbiological results mainly due to poor maintenance of the equipment especially from the dispensing taps. The advice of the  Automatic Vending Association  and The Bottles Water Cooler Association  should be adopted on cleaning routines to ensure hygienic conditions are maintained. Since the Water Supply Regulations 2001 for the quality of water used for human consumption stipulates that drinking water should contain no micro-organisms which pose a potential danger to human health, then whenever pseudomonas auriginosa, E. Coli, or coliforms are detected in a vending machine, it usually indicates that the cleaning of the machine is inadequate and it is recommended that the machine is taken out of service and cleaned and disinfected before re-introduction. The quality of the water supplied in the bottles for bottled water coolers should be covered by The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Water Regulations 2003 and as such should be satisfactory but poor maintenance of the dispensing equipment can contaminate the water.

Water cisterns

Drinking water that is supplied from a storage cistern is not recommended as there is more likelihood of contamination. However, the use of a cistern is allowed by the Water Supply (Water Fittings)  Regulations 1999  clause 27.2 as long as the water is maintained 'wholesome'. In order to achieve this the storage cistern must conform to the the physical specification in the regulations and particular attention should be made to the storage temperature of the water and the inspection and cleanliness of the cistern.  The monitoring of the temperature regime of the cold water and the regular clean and disinfection of the cistern and pipework becomes important and is a service that B & V have a large amount of experience. For a definition of 'wholesome' see the Drinking Water Inspectorate web site link http://www.dwi.gov.uk/regs/si3184/3184.htm#4

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Hot and Cold Water Services

Hot and cold water services are particularly subject  to the Health and Safety Commission  Approved Code of Practice (ACOP)  'The control of legionella in water systems'  (L8).

The first requirement for all hot and cold water services is to assess the risk of exposing the occupants of a building to legionella. For further details go to our Risk Assessment & Logbook System

As well as the microbiological tests that will monitor the efficacy of the control measures, the principal method of control is to monitor the water temperatures at the hot water plant and selected outlets monthly 

B & V are able to carry out this monitoring where maintenance personnel do not have the time or resources available. Since this monitoring is only one of the HSE requirements to control the proliferation of legionella it should be part of a complete management system that is covered by our Risk Assessment & Logbook System for Hot and Cold Water Systems

Microbiological Water Quality Testing

Microbial tests for water quality are carried out in an independant U.K.A.S. approved laboratory and only dip slide tests are carried out on site.

These laboratory tests fall into the following categories:

Total Viable Count at 22 C and 37 C 

A Total Viable Count (TVC) at 22°C and 37°C is the basic test for drinking water quality. Absolute numbers for acceptable counts are not defined, rather, the results should be monitored over a certain period in order to identify significant changes in total viable count. 

Total Viable Count at 30 C

A TVC at 30 C is a useful test to determine the overall levels of bacterial contamination in a water supply. While not suitable for drinking water, it is an essential test in relation to Legionella testing to ensure the TVC falls within the recommended guidelines for the control of Legionella.

Total and Faecal coliforms including Escherica coli

The Total Coliform group of bacteria represent bacteria of faecal origin and non-faecal (e.g. soil & environmental materials). The presence of Total Coliforms can be considered an indication of risk of faecal contamination, or poor hygiene. Coliforms are sensitive to disinfection and should be absent in 100 ml of sample. Detection of Total Coliforms does not confirm faecal contamination.

Faecal Streptococci

Faecal Streptococci are a secondary indicator of faecal pollution and a test for these organisms is usually carried out along with a test for coliforms. If positive result is obtained in this test, then any coliforms present are assumed to be faecal in origin.

Clostridium perfringens

Clostridium perfringens is the last indicator of faecal contamination and is almost always tested for in conjunction with coliforms and faecal streptococci. It is a good test to determine whether remote or intermittent contamination is occurring as the spores can persist in the environment for a considerable time.

Legionnaires disease bacteria including serotyping

The presence of Legionella in buildings and cooling tower systems presents a serious risk to human health. As a result there are strict guidelines for a testing regime for Legionella and other related organisms. The testing will confirm the absence or presence of Legionella in a water sample, and will also provide the serotype of the organism isolated.

Test for bacterial spoilage in water systems

The following tests are mainly required for closed industrial heating or chilled water systems where the bacteria described can cause large amounts of corrosion if left untreated.

Sulphate reducing bacteria

These bacteria are capable of breaking down sulphate to sulphide with the resulting problems of formation of hydrogen sulphide. Hydrogen sulphide is a toxic gas in large quantities and will also contribute to corrosion of pipework in a closed system.

Nitrate and nitrite reducing bacteria

Organisms in this group are capable of using nitrate and nitrite containing compounds as an energy source, which in turn produces nitrogen gas. Again the action of these organisms can cause problems such as corrosion in a closed industrial system.

Pseudomonas spp. including Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas spp. are common environmental organisms. However, they can easily colonise water systems including closed heating and chilled circuits forming thick biofilms which can affect the taste and colour of the water, and indicate a dirty system that requires cleaning. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen which can cause illness. This organism should be absent in manufacturing plants, hospitals, swimming pools, and other places that have regular human contact.

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Corrosion Monitoring

Most water systems are in continuous use, so it is rare to be able to inspect the internal condition of pipework and equipment for the efficiency of  corrosion inhibitor chemicals. One of the more common methods employed are is follows:

One of the most commonly used methods for internal corrosion and erosion monitoring is to use weight loss coupons. The coupons are carefully machined small bars made of  the same material as the pipework or equipment being monitored, they are accurately weighed and then exposed to the process for a period by being inserted into an external "rack" or layout of 1 in. piping to the main circulating loop. When it is removed, carefully cleaned and re-weighed, the change in weight is used to calculate the metal loss that may then be expressed as an annualised rate of loss (mils or millimetres per year). Typically, the external rack is configured to allow the simultaneous testing of two or four corrosion coupons of similar or different metals as the water navigates the standard zig zag piping configuration.