If you own a small, medium, or large business here in Atlanta, your building may have a boiler or cooling tower for heating and cooling; even if you don’t, you certainly have running tap water provided by the city. These systems are all great at what they do, but they tend to be prone to water system issues and colonization. In this post, we’ll take a look at two different types of water system colonization: fungi and algae. We’ll also take a look at how you can prevent these types of colonization and how to treat them if they do arise.
Why Is a Water System Prone to Colonization?
There are different types of water systems; some are used for heating and cooling, while others wash away debris and waste from industrial processes. Some systems are closed-loop, while others are open to either the inside or outside environment. However, regardless of the type of system, you may run into an issue with colonization. The most common type of colonization is bacterial colonization; for more information on this type of contamination, check out this article: Is There Bacteria in Your Water System? For the purposes of this article, we’ll be talking about fungi and algae that may make their way into your water system.
What Types of Fungi Are Common in a Water System?
It might seem odd that fungi could survive and repopulate within a flowing water system; when we think of fungi, we think of mushrooms like the ones we eat. However, there are certain types of fungi that can make their way into water systems, drinking water specifically. For example, some filamentous fungi can even work symbiotically with bacteria to form biofilms. According to SafeWater.org, Aspergillus fumigatus accounts for about 90% of water supply infections.
Keeping your water clean and safe is incredibly important for your health, the health of your employees, and the health of your patrons. Aspergillus fumigatus infection in immunosuppressed humans can be life-threatening. Furthermore, fungi can cause damage to your water system by blocking pipes, and some patrons can have allergic reactions to fungi in your water system.
What Types of Algae Are Common in a Water System?
Algae are a different type of single-celled organism – one that uses photosynthesis to propagate and live in bodies of water. Most water system contamination comes, not from open-air in the system within the business, but from the body of water that the area’s drinking water is pulled from. Sometimes, algal blooms can overwhelm the area’s water treatment facilities, causing algae-infested water to be delivered to businesses. For areas where this happens regularly, additional water filtration is recommended for businesses and homes.
Common culprits for algal colonization are blue-green algae (which isn’t actually algae at all, it’s a cyanobacterium; it’s still classified with algae for the purposes of contamination due to how it manifests). For areas that struggle to filter out toxins from algal blooms, it’s incredibly important for businesses and homes to have their own filtration systems (or to have a backup plan).
How Do I Keep My Atlanta Business’s Water System Clean?
As mentioned above, most of these contaminations occur in drinking water, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t make their way into other water systems like heating and cooling closed-loop systems – especially if you flush the system with contaminated water. The bottom line is this: pay attention to local news, test your water often, and ensure that closed-loop systems are flushed only with clean, contaminant-free water. If you do run into a contamination problem in any of your systems, contact a water treatment expert immediately. A water treatment company can help you identify the issue and create a treatment plan specific to your colonization.
Water System Fungi and Algae Treatment in Atlanta
Have you noticed something off about your drinking water at your Atlanta business? Perhaps your heating or cooling systems are underperforming and you can’t figure out why. The culprit may be a fungal contamination, algal contamination, or a biofilm. Don’t wait until someone gets sick; contact the water treatment experts at Hydroserve today.