C. Difficile Infections

Another recent outbreak of "superbugs" has the media's attention and is cause for alarm across the country.  This time, the culprit isn't MRSA, it is a clostridium strain of bacteria called "C. difficile" (often referred to as "C. Diff" or pronounced "see diff.")   This germ is named for it's notoriety as being hard to treat and kill once it infects someone.

One of the reasons we chose to work with activTek Environmental many years ago was because we can very effectively PREVENT these types of infections from occurring in the first place, using patented "active" air purification technology.

Historically, UV light has been used in health care and other indoor air environments to provide continuous decontamination. UV light is a “line of sight” technology and does not provide the most effective means of control. Ideally, a system for continuous decontamination would produce antimicrobials which reduce contamination on surfaces and in the air.

The Photohydroionization Cell, incorporated into all our "active air purification" systems, produces oxidative gases that inactivate microorganisms in the air and on surfaces. These gases can reach all surfaces in health care and related environments.

Lab Testing on Assorted Microbes

Broad spectrum sanitizing of air and surfaces is offered 24/7 using this patented Active Air technology.  It requires no upkeep and ensure clean environments in between regular cleanings performed.  Effective against bacteria, molds, yeasts and even viruses, testing has yet to find a microbe that can withstand the technology, even while maintaining safe, healthy environments suitable for 24/7 occupancy by people, plants and animals.

In March 2010, a study specifically on the efficacy of killing C. difficile was performed at Kansas State University's "Food Science Institute" confirming this is a great solution to protecting environments from this, and so far any other Superbug known.


For more information or to obtain a copy of the information regarding C. difficile sanitization, please contact Greg Douglas at Douglas Environmental Solutions.

Sulphur in the Water

I just had a client that I met 19 months ago call me up to come re-test her water last week.  First time I'd been out to her place to check the well, it was pretty standard well water - 25 grains of hardness and 3 parts per million (ppm) iron.  TDS was around 500 - nothing too outrageous or difficult for us to treat.

We discussed her options and she decided to go with the Hague WaterMax well water conditioner, model 62-AMQ.  This can handle up to 10 ppm of iron and a compensated hardness of 90 grains before needing any expansion or further treatment equipment.  The beauty of this system, and the reason she chose it over a conventional well water filtration system is that it is modular; it's expandable.

So here we are 19 months later and she has a "rotten-egg" odour in the water.  A quick test confirms that her well, like several in the Strathcona County area has become contaminated with sulphur.  Normally this requires an additional system to treat, but the modular nature of the Hague WaterMax allows us to simply open the service port, load sulphur treatment media ("SulfurStat") into the vacant upper chamber of the WaterMax, and close it back up.

Not only is the time required to complete this service call short (under 20 minutes) this upgrade will actually reduce the amount of regenerant (in this case, plain sodium salt for the brine tank) by about 30%.  The SulfurStat media will not only filter out the sulphur, but also a good portion of the iron, lessening the burden on the fine mesh resin that would normally be tasked with removing those from her well water.

All it took was a 20 minute service call, and a total cost of less than half what would normally be charged to install a new, dedicated sulphur treatment system - and she will use less salt now, AND the whole system including ALL the media is covered under the factory 25 year warranty.  How sweet is that?  (not to mention she doesn't have a second system to maintain or something like potassium permanganate (KMnO4) to stock and mess with in addition to the salt the system uses to clean itself.)

Well Water vs Cistern Water

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This is an issue many acreage owners confront regularly.  For years, people have had problems with well water - systems that don't perform as hoped, bleed through iron, sulfur, minerals, hardness or anything else they are designed to catch can lead to frustration, extra cleaning of fixtures, laundry problems, odours and other issues around the home.

Some home owners, tired of treatment systems that don't live up to their promises, look to alternatives to a traditional water well.  One option many people have chosen is to install a cistern and have water trucks haul and deliver water to the home on a regular basis.  They supply standard "city water" which is stored in tanks usually located underground and pumped into the home.

Many people use that water for everything - cooking, cleaning, flushing toilets, showering, even drinking.  The theory seems simple enough - its "city water" which contains chlorine, so it should be free from bacteria and other contaminants; it should be safe to drink.

One thing I recommend to any acreage owner with a cistern is to have it cleaned and sanitized.  This involves having someone drain the tank, climb in and scrub down the inside of the tank.  If the cistern is a few years old, I strongly recommend the homeowner watches the process.  Invariably, what happens is the person cleaning the tank will remove frogs, mice, leaves and all kinds of junk from the tank.  A common question is, "How did THAT get in there?"  (If you want an easy preview of what sort of contamination you may be dealing with, just open the back of your toilet and take a look at the inside.  How does that compare with what you would expect to find with "normal" city water???)

By their vary nature, the tanks cannot be completely sealed.  If they were, the vacuum seal would prevent water from flowing into the home.  As water flows to the house, air MUST replace it in the tank - thats' simple physics.  Along with air comes mold spores, bacteria, and depending upon how well-sealed the tank is, frogs and other creatures common to acreage communities.

Ok - but there's chlorine in there, so we're ok, RIGHT?  Well - let me ask you a question....  If you were making chicken for dinner tonight, after you're done the prep, you always disinfect the cutting board and counters where raw chicken was in use.  That is basic info.  So - do you use "chlorinated city water" to disinfect these items, or do you use cleaners or maybe even bleach to do the job?  What does that tell you about the water in your cistern?

Even if you decide not to get a water softener and protect your appliances and skin from the effects of hard city water, you really have to assume the water is NOT free from other contaminants.  While it may be ok for your washing machine and toilets, at the very very best, think of the cistern as a big jug of water sitting on your counter.  If it sat there collecting dust for 2-3 weeks, would you drink from that jug?  That is basically, in the BEST case scenario, what your cistern water is providing for your family.  Stale, dusty water.

I just consulted with a family in a unique situation - they just bought an acreage in Strathcona County that has BOTH well water and cistern water supplied to the home.  They are deciding whether to eliminate one or the other and simplify their home operation.  Next time, I'll discuss the options they face, decisions they are weighing and let you know how it goes.

Yeah - But is it working???

A few months back, we were referred to a neighbour of a client.  The referring family had just purchased a new acreage when they called us to come check on their water.  Most wells in Strathcona County need a fair bit of treatment so they are not just drinkable, but so they'll not wreck appliances and fixtures.

Much to the delight of this particular family, their water tested almost perfect.  No whole-home treatment required (other than a sediment filter, which they already had) and they just wanted the piece of mind of having purified water to drink.  After installing the Hague H3500 reverse osmosis system for them, we got them a custom faucet to match the one on their sink and they were done.  Truly impressed by the flow rate and water pressure, they were pretty happy with their new system.  They also had us to some sneaky plumbing and run a line behind their cupboards to connect up the ice maker on their fridge - a nice benefit if you like crystal clear ice and cold fresh water!

Fast forward a few months and their neighbours are still complaining about their water.  They purchased an acreage a few years ago with an existing treatment system that wasn't quite working properly.  They hired an expert to come service the system and after $2000 in labour costs, they still weren't happy with the water quality.

After being referred to Douglas Environmental, I went out to do a water test and investigate their situation.  The husband asked me for a "fresh start" -meaning not wanting to tinker with the old stuff, just put something in that will work and will not require a lot of hassle (unlike their old system which required mixing of concentrated chlorine chemicals and a complex array of mixing and storing tanks.)

The new system will replace their old chlorine injectors, not require a mixing tank and save them about 15 square feet in their utility room.  It will work "hands-off" only requiring the addition of regenerant about every 6-9 months, depending upon water usage.

Even though they were right next door to the family with "perfect water," they had substantially different chemistry.  Just because they had "problem water" however, doesn't mean they have to get a degree in chemistry to make it right.  Hiring a professional with more than one approach to well water treatment is important.  You know the old saying, if your only tool is a hammer, everything starts looking like a nail.  There are companies out there (you know who you are, your whole client base does NOT love their water...) that are quick to install the same system in regardless of water chemistry.

A true professional analyzes the water, assesses the needs of the client and makes a recommendation to work within their budget, their lifestyle and most-importantly, to address their specific water chemistry.

Being a dealer for Hague Quality Water is a huge benefit.  The WaterMax is truly the most flexible system out there and can be configured in many ways, rarely requiring multiple units to treat residential water.  It is not just the most-efficient system on the market, it is backed by the longest warranty, and a complete support team involving the local dealer AND the dedicated support staff of the manufacturer.

This home was the exception to that rule though - they needed one unit, a WaterMax 61-AAN, to treat their iron and their hydrogen sulphide (H2S gas,) and a (WaterMax 61-AAA) to remove tannins, colour and odour from the water.

In the end, the system requires almost no maintenance, cost them less than the old one, and is guaranteed to work for 25 years.  Living on an acreage or farm can be a wonderful experience - and your water situation doesn't have to scare or confuse you.  If you aren't happy with your current situation, give us a call - we can make what you have work, or replace it with something that will work great for you.  Period.

Sherwood Park's Environmental Service Industry

The Sherwood Park News ran an article this week featuring the Chamber of Commerce's newly-launched Environmental Committee.  The committee's focus is two-fold: to promote the green-ness of the Alberta Energy Sector and to highlight the new industrial developments in the environmental sector - a service industry that has sprung up alongside the traditional energy sector to both service and to augment the energy re harvest via more-conventional means.

The article discussed some new key players: Clearflow Technologies, a company that uses their proprietary technology to speed up tailings pond reclamation into days instead of months and years, and has a novel approach to combating soil erosion - a definite issue that must be dealt with anywhere energy is mined.

Sherwood Park, a few years ago, launched a world-class residential recycling program servicing the residents of Strathcona County.  It has reduced materials going to the landfill by over 80%!  Where it falls short is the fact it doesn't address the commercial or industrial sectors (basically all non-home-based businesses) at all.  A new company, Tri-Line Disposal, is addressing this shortfall for commercial clients.  This will supplement the activity and further-reduce unnecessary landfill use and increase the use of renewable energy in Alberta.

Our sister company, Renew Kitchen and Bath, got a great mention as well. The mandate of that company is to eliminate the replacement of fixtures like counter tops, bathtubs, showers and tiles that have years of life left in them, but whose only crime is being outdated or damaged (chips, scratches and water damage are all repaired,) and a new surface is sprayed on leaving a brand new finish and giving years of useful life for the fixtures.

There is a lot of new development in the burgeoning environmental sector - kudos to the Sherwood Park Chamber for bringing it to the spotlight and nurturing its development!

Are You Being Served?

Received an interesting call today from an elderly lady in Sherwood Park.  Her water softener has for some reason ceased up and is not allowing water through at all.  She called the County of Strathcona and they sent a water technician out to her home to investigate.  They confirmed there was nothing wrong with the plumbing and whatever issue was present was a problem with her softener.

She called the installers and they were no longer in business - and the manufacturer couldn't connect them with any local servicing dealers in the area.  She was stuck!  After some searching on Google, she found the Douglas Environmental webpage and contacted us directly.

Luckily, I had an installation booked for a home on the same street she lived on and was able to make an appointment to investigate.  There are only a few things that can possibly cause this to happen, so it shouldn't take long to troubleshoot.  Hopefully we can fix it, or at the very least, it can be replaced with a system backed by a strong warranty with a servicing dealer network that will be able to actually resolve problems after the cheque clears.

Chloramine & Chloramine Removal

The recent debate over water fluoridation in Calgary has lead to a lot of discussions amongst my peers and colleagues.  It has brought up chats over the broad range of chemicals in the water - some naturally occurring (arsenic, sulfates, sodium, etc.), some due to pollution (hexavalent chromium, hydrogen sulfide, etc.), and some are there because we feel it is appropriate and/or the risks are outweighed by the benefits of their addition (chlorine, chloramine, fluoride, etc.)

In speaking with a Spruce Grove family about this, their concern was over the chlorine in the water supplied by the city of Edmonton.  Several years ago, Edmonton switched from adding straight chlorine for disinfection, to a mixture of chlorine and ammonia known as "chloramine."  There are a few advantages to this, namely:

1. Less is needed to maintain effective dosage.  Because chloramine doesn't tend to dissipate into the air the way chlorine does, less is required to ensure a strong enough level reaches the homes at the end of the supply chain.  If you've ever poured a pitcher of water and let it sit in the fridge overnight to get rid of the stink, it was the chlorine that was off-gassing.  Over a few hours, it would dissipate and the odour would be gone.  This doesn't happen with chloramine, so leaving it overnight will do little to reduce the chemical load in the water - only the "free chlorine" or a very small portion of the chemical can be removed this way.
2. Less disinfection byproducts are produced.  Most people think chlorine is added just to disinfect the water - but when it is added, it reacts with organic compounds in the water to form disinfection byproducts.  Chlorine is an oxidizer and acts similar to fire.  Just as fire burns organic materials and produces "ash" - chlorine reacts with organics and converts them as well.  The difference being, this "ash" stays in the water and you end up drinking it and bathing in it.  By switching to chloramine, fewer of these byproducts are produced.  -NOTE: they are still created, just fewer and slightly different forms of them are produced.
3. Cost.  The chemical is relatively inexpensive and because it doesn't dissipate as much as straight chlorine does, less is required.  This translates to a cost savings by the city.
4.  Odour.  Ammonia reacts with the chlorine and changes the putrid smell to a more-tolerable one.  It is still very noticeable - if you pour a glass of tap water and a glass of reverse osmosis treated water and just give it the "ole sniff test" you'll immediately know which is pure and which is chemical laden...

The down-side?  It is much-harder to remove.  Simple carbon filters (like those typically found on shower head filters) will NOT remove chloramine.  In order to remove it, catalytic carbon with a lot of contact time, or special metallic filters are required.

Because the shower filters this family initially inquired about aren't recommended for chloramine removal, we discussed a whole-home option to accomplish this.  The clients were not interested in a water softener, or a combination unit would have been recommended.  Although I personally feel every home should have softened, conditioned water, this simply was not what they were after.

As such, a chloramine reduction filtration system was installed.  This is a special filter unit that requires little to no maintenance to keep going and you don't need to add salt or any chemicals to make it work.  The filter has a special metallic compound which removes the chloramine, then the water passes through a bed of granular activated carbon to remove the chlorine, the organics and other contaminants that affect taste, odour and (in some people's opinion) the safety of the water.

The system runs around the clock and cleans itself in under 15 minutes once a week.  The set up will last them about 5 years before the media needs to be changed out, and in the meantime, no maintenance or upkeep is required by the family.  Odour and chemicals gone - no impact on lifestyle!