Drinking Water Research Foundation compares bottled, tap

water
November 22, 2013

See original article HERE

ALEXANDRIA, Va. The Drinking Water Research Foundation has released the results of a review
paper entitled Microbial Health Risks of Regulated Drinking Waters in the United States, according
to a press release.

The paper compares the risk of public drinking water and bottled water using data from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and
presentations from a 2009 drinking water symposium at Yale University, the release reported.

According to the release, the paper explores the difference in quality monitoring, regulatory
standards violations, advisories and distribution system conditions for tap and bottled water.

The key finding of the paper was that, it is clear that as a consequence of the differences in
regulations, distribution systems, operating (manufacturing) practices and microbial standards of
quality, public drinking water supplies present a substantially higher human risk than do bottled waters
for illness due to waterborne organisms.

While tap water is regulated by the EPA, bottled water is regulated by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), which is more stringent in regulations concerning lead, coliform bacteria and E.
coli, according to the release.

Download the review paper here.

The research is fascinating as it does refute other data claiming that bottled water is less safe than
public water supplies. Below is an excerpt from the conclusion paragraph of the review paper:

A comparison of waterborne illness outbreaks reveals overwhelming evidence that the microbial
health risks associated with drinking tap water are far greater than that of bottled water, with 195
million illnesses in the past 10 years for tap water compared to fewer than a dozen for bottled water
This research and information is good news for the bottled water industry that has been hammered
by negative press in recent years. Hopefully the bottled water industry will use this research to help
promote the benefit of drinking quality bottled water as opposed to public water supplies.
As you may know, ozone has been used in the bottled water industry for many years to provide safe,
high quality bottled water. Read more about ozone in bottled water on our website here, and see
below:
Bottled Water and Ozone
A fast-acting and effective treatment technology, ozone is now used in a variety of potable water
treatment applications. Ozone treatment is becoming widely used for bottled water in North America
now the most rapidly growing market for ozone.

OZONE BENEFITS FOR THE BEVERAGE MARKET

Ozone is superior to any other disinfection method because of its high oxidation state.
Ozone allows for lower operating costs and reduces overall chemical costs.
Ozone is not typically associated with by-products, and naturally reverts to oxygen, so no
taste or odor is associated after its use.
Ozone is generated on-site. Therefore no dangerous storage or handling is required.
The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) suggests a residual ozone level of 0.2 to 0.4
ppm. This provides disinfection to both the water and the bottle.
Destroying bacteria instantly, ozone works faster than any other oxidant on the market!

Tags: ozone bottled water, Ozone Drinking water, ozone water treatment, safety of bottled water, safety of tap
water

IOA World Congress 2013 Technical Tour

Posted by Joel Leusink on October 5, 2013 under Conferences/News | Be the First to Comment

This years International Ozone Association annual conference occurred at the Mirage hotel in Las
Vegas, Nevada. Each year at the end of the show we take a technical tour of a local ozone
instillation. This year due to our location we toured 2 drinking water plants of the Southern Nevada
Water Authority.

Both of these water treatment plants water source is Lake Mead, which is created by the Hoover
Dam on the Colorado River. This surface water has the potential of cryptosporidium or giardia
growth. Due to this potential ozone was chosen as a primary disinfection to ensure quality and safe
water.

We toured both the Alfred Merritt Smith water treatment facility, and the River Mountain water
treatment facility.
 Tour group on top of the contact basin

Both of these treatment plants had a wonderful view of the mountains, Lake Mead, and Las Vegas.
This pictures was taken of the tour group while standing on top of the contact basin used to contact
ozone with the water.
 Praxair Trailergas ozone generators in use to produce ozone at the water treatment plant.

Both ozone water treatment systems used similar equipment. Praxair ozone generators were used to
produce ozone from oxygen. Oxygen was produced from VPSA oxygen concentrators.
VPSA oxygen concentrator system. Two of these systems are in place, with a LOX system for back-up to provide consistent
ozone.
 Cutaway demo of the pipeline delivering water from the water treatment plant

One of the interesting things to learn about at these plants is water conservation. The water level in
Lake Mead is at one of the lowest levels in history right now. While there is sufficient water for all, water
usage is a constant concern. A new water intake is getting installed and built in the lake in case the
existing water intake is no longer useful due to dropping water levels.
For more information about the International Ozone Association, or questions about membership,
follow the link below:

International Ozone Association Website

Tags: international ozone assocation, Ozone for dinking water, Ozone for giardia removal, ozone water
treatment, Souther nevada water

The benefits of ozone for cryptosporidium inactivation

Posted by Joel Leusink on November 15, 2012 under Drinking Water Treatment | Be the First to Comment

CRYPTO IS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST MICROBES FACED IN WATER TREATMENT.

Read full article HERE

By Marc DeBrum
November 07, 201
There are constant microbiological threats in our daily lives; unfortunately, our drinking water and the
recreational water that we play in are not excluded from where these threats reside. Among those
preying on unsuspecting humans is the protozoan parasite cryptosporidium (crypto). Crypto is one
of the toughest microbes faced in water treatment, however, by the power of the molecule, ozone
can eliminate it.

Ozone, molecularly known as O3, is a sanitizer and is relentless in its attack of organic microbes
(bacteria, viruses, cysts, etc). Through a process known as lysing, ozone breaks down cell walls or
membranes, where it can then destroy the nucleus of the microbe. In addition to sanitation, ozone is
well known for the oxidizing of inorganic material that could be present in water, such as metals (e.g.,
iron and manganese). Although there are a few stronger oxidizers, ozone is the strongest that is
readily available for commercial or residential use (see Figure 1). In fact, it is 1.5 times stronger than
chlorine and many times faster acting. While leaving no off tastes, chemical by-products or residues,
ozone is widely used in bottled water plants, wineries, breweries and food processing plants all over
the world. Furthermore, because of this higher oxidation strength, ozone cannot build up a tolerance
to microbes unlike other sanitizers, such as chlorine.

Read full article HERE

Learn more about water treatment with ozone here.

Tags: ozone crypto, ozone cryptosporidium inactivation, Ozone lysing, ozone oxidation, ozone water treatment

Ozone Use in Drinking Water

Posted by Joel Leusink on October 25, 2012 under Drinking Water Treatment | Be the First to Comment

Did you know the most common industrial use for ozone is drinking water?

If you are new to the world of ozone it may surprise you how prevalent the use of ozone is throughout
the United States. Today, there are more than 280 major water treatment plants in the United States
that incorporate the use of ozone in their processes. It is projected that by 2015 the number of plants
using ozone will reach 300. There is a very good chance that the water you are drinking has been
treated with ozone prior to your consumption.

Ozone use in drinking water has has been prevalent throughout the world since the early 1900s.
Ozone was initially used in the United States in 1940 in Whiting, IN for water disinfection in the water
treatment process. From there, the use of ozone in drinking water has expanded to its current wide
usage throughout the United States today. In 1982, ozone was given GRAS approval for use in bottled
water. This opened up the use of ozone for disinfection in the bottled water industry. Today, the
majority of bottled water companies use ozone to ensure pure water that is pathogen free for
consumers. Read more about ozone use in bottled water .
Looking ahead, ozone may also be used for the removal of micro-pollutants, such as
pharmaceuticals in the water, personal care products, and endocrine disruptors. Ozone is currently
used in waste-water disinfection for these purposes and it is possible the use of ozone will be carried
over into drinking water plants in the future.

A few examples of large U.S. Cities using ozone today are below:

Los Angeles, CA since 1987

Tuscon, AX since 1992
Dallas, TX since 1993
Raleigh, NC since 1999
Seattle, WA since 2000
Orlando, FL since 2004

Tags: bottled water ozone, drinking water ozone, ozone use in drinking water, Ozone Water, ozone water
treatment

Ozone Retrofit at Districts Oldest Water Treatment Plant

Posted by Joel Leusink on June 14, 2012 under Conferences/News | Read the First Comment

Read full article HERE

June 12, 2012 07:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Metropolitan Board Authorizes Ozone Retrofit at Districts
Oldest Water Treatment Plant
F.E. Weymouth plant in La Verne is final treatment facility to receive ozone upgrade

The Metropolitan Board of Directors today authorized construction of $140.4 million of new ozone
facilities at the districts oldest treatment plant, a project that will help boost the regional and states
economy, add up to 1,200 jobs during construction while enhancing Southern Californias drinking
water quality.

The new facilities will use ozone to replace chlorine as the primary disinfectant at Metropolitans F.E.
Weymouth Water Treatment Plant in La Verne.

One of Metropolitans primary responsibilities is to provide high-quality water within its six-county
service area and to fully meet current and future drinking water quality standards, said Metropolitan
board Chairman John V. Foley. Nearly 20 years ago, we identified ozone disinfection as a more
effective treatment process. Todays action is another significant step in our comprehensive plan to
convert all five Metropolitan treatment plants to ozone technology.

Metropolitan General Manager Jeffrey Kightlinger called ozone treatment the most beneficial and
cost-effective way to improve and protect the quality of drinking water served to 19 million Southern
Californians.

Read full article HERE

Tags: municipal water treatment, ozone upgrade, Ozone Water, ozone water treatment

New Ozone Test Kits that read up to 5.0 PPM

Posted by Joel Leusink on February 2, 2012 under Ozone Safety | 6 Comments to Read

New Ozone Test Kits that read up to 5.0 PPM

As a past customer of Ozone Solutions for water treatment products we wanted to make you aware
of a recent improvement to the Dissolved Ozone Vacuvial test kit (K-7404) and Digital Dissolved
Ozone Meter(I-2019), produced by CHEMetrics. We believe that both of the updates will provide a
great solution to your ozone monitoring needs.

The Dissolved Ozone Test Kit,K-7404, formerly known as the K-7402, can now read high levels of
ozone, up to 3 PPM. This kit uses colorimetic tubes for easy ozone readings. This is a great all inclusive
kit.
The Digital Dissolved Ozone Meter (I-2019) now has a range of 0.2 to 5.0 PPM. This unit is easy to use
and an accurate way to measure ozone in water.
The improved vacuvials use a safety tip to ensure no broken glass is left after the vial is broken.

Instruction videos have been created with simple step by step instructions on using each device.
These videos can be view here:

K-7404 Ozone Test Kit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUf96P_5-

1s&feature=player_embedded

I-2019 Dissolved Ozone Meter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig7FgtNqlYs&feature=player_embedded

For more information on the K-7404 or I-2019, or any of our ozone equipment, please call or e-mail us
today.

Tags: dissolved ozone measrurement, Ozone in water, ozone sensor for aqueous ozone, ozone test kit, ozone
water treatment

How is ozone used for water treatment?

Posted by Joel Leusink on October 17, 2011 under Ozone for Beginners | 7 Comments to Read
Ozone is dissolved into water to create aqueous ozone for many applications. This page is a general
overview of the methods and devices to dissolve ozone into water, along with a few helpful tips for
the novice ozone user.

AQUEOUS OZONE APPLICATIONS:

Bottled Water
Drinking water disinfection
Drinking water taste and odor removal
Wastewater
o Disinfection
o Improved sludge control
o Odor control
o Color removal
Surface sanitation
Food processing direct contact
Clean In Place (CIP)
Wet scrubbers
Groundwater remediation
Landry
Cooling tower
Aquaculture/Aquariums
Horticulture
Swimming pools/spas
Water Features
Pharmaceutic manufacturing
Semiconductor manufacturing

DISSOLVING OZONE INTO WATER

Bubble Diffusers
Venturi Injectors
Static Mixers
Ozone cannot be stored, therefore it must be generated on-site and dissolved into water on-site at
the rate of consumption. Ozone is generated as a gas that must be dissolved into water. A mixing
device will be necessary for ozone gas to dissolve into water efficiently. There are many variables to
consider when determining the proper mixing device for a given application. The information
provided below serves to provide a better understanding of the variables that may affect your
application.

BUBBLE DIFFUSERS

Bubble diffusion is the oldest and simplest method for dissolving ozone into water. This is essentially a
porous device used for breaking the gas into small bubbles at the bottom of a water column to allow
the bubbles to slowly rise to the top of the column and dissolve into water.

Pore Size

The pore size of the diffuser will affect the size of gas bubble that is created with the bubble diffuser.
Two smaller bubbles will have greater surface area than one bubble of the same gas volume.
Greater surface area will achieve improved contact with the gas bubble and water, therefore
increasing the rate of mass transfer of ozone into water. It is important when choosing a bubble
diffuser to find the smallest pore size possible.

Water Column Height

The height of the water column that ozone is bubbled into will affect the mass transfer efficiency
greatly. The diffuser should be placed at the bottom of the column, this way the gas bubble must
travel the greatest distance within the water column prior to escaping into the head space. Taller
columns will lengthen the time duration that the bubble is in contact with the water and can dissolve
into the water. More importantly, taller columns will create a higher pressure at the bottom of the
column. This high pressure will exert greater force on the surface of the bubble and force more gas
into solution.

Practical Application
Bubble diffusers can dissolve ozone into water efficiently; however, a fine pore diffuser must be used
with a very tall water column. Water columns shorter than 10 feet typically achieve less than 50% mass
transfer efficiency. Water columns 20 feet tall can achieve mass transfer efficiency up to 90%. This
may not be practical in a given application. Fine pore diffusers can also plug with contaminates
easier and cause poor long term performance. When designing a water treatment system using
bubble diffuser keep safety in mind as high levels of un-dissolved ozone may escape from the head-
space of the water.

VENTURI INJECTOR

A venturi injector is a very common method of ozone injection in industrial application. A venturi
injector combines a method for ozone injection and provides good mass transfer efficiency in one
device. A venturi injector requires a pressure differential across the device to create a vacuum to pull
ozone gas into the device. Then, using mixing vanes the gas is thoroughly mixed with the water.

A venturi injector creates the very small bubbles desired for great mass transfer, and a violent mixing
action to dissolve gas into water. Using a ventui injector alone may achieve mass transfer rates of
90%.

Water Pressures

For a Venturi Injector to work properly there must be a pressure differential between the inlet and
outlet of the device. This usually requires a separate water pump to increase the water pressure at the
inlet of the venturi injector. It is then important that the outlet of the venturi injector is not obstructed
or impeded in any way.

We suggest placing pressure gauges directly at the inlet and outlet of the venturi injector. This will help
with troubleshooting and determine the effectiveness of the device.

Off-gas System

Using a venturi injector will require a method of removing the un-dissolved oxygen and ozone from
the water. Unlike the bubble diffuser where the bubbles will naturally rise to the head-space and
escape the piping system used with a venturi injector has no method of removing this un-dissolved
gas, one must be provided. A contact tank is a popular method, there are also de-gas chambers
and columns that can be used. Ozone compatible air vents are used to remove this gas and vent to
a safe location or to an ozone destruct unit.

If an off-gas system is not used the excess gas bubbles that may carry residual ozone can off-gas in
undesirable locations causing safety concerns. Also, this excess gas may volatilize some of the
dissolved ozone back into the gaseous form.

By-pass and plumbing

Venturi injectors become an integral part of the plumbing system in use. A pump is commonly placed
prior to the injector, a tank after the injector. A by-pass loop is also commonly used to allow
regulation of water flow through the injector and greater flexibility. Follow this link to the Mazzei
website for some great examples of these plumbing options.

Venturi Injector Performance and sizing

Venturi injector sizing is a function of the water flow rate through the device. Water pressure will also
play a factor in the determination of the venturi injector sizing. Each venturi injector is supplied with
a performance chart illustrating the water flow, pressure, and gas suction provided by that venturi
injector. Follow this link for extra guidance on this issue.

Water back-flow prevention

When using a venturi injector it is necessary to use a device to ensure water cannot flow from the
venturi injector to the Ozone Generator. There are many devices used for this task: check valves,
water traps, and shut-off valves are all used. We have found the best success using a quality water
trap in conjunction with a check valve to prevent all water back-flow.
Diagram of system using a venturi injector, pump, contact tank, and air vent.

STATIC MIXER

Static mixers are any static device designed for the sole purpose of mixing two flows together. In our
application we are mixing ozone gas with water, therefore the same principle of breaking the
bubbles up into the smallest possible bubbles is the goal with the static mixer.

There are a variety of static mixers on the market, some go by trade names. For example Mazzei
markets a static mixer under the name Flash Reactor. While there may be a variety of static mixers
on the market they all serve the same function, dissolving ozone gas into water.
Sizing a static mixer

A static mixer is sized based on the velocity of water through the mixer. Each static mixer has vanes or
mixing devices inside that require a specific velocity of water past those devices to achieve the
desired results. This sizing will translate to water flow rate for our purposes. Each mixer should be sold
and marketed with a range of flow rates that the mixer will work well with.

Ozone Injection

Ozone can be injected upstream of the static mixer using a tee or any other device to force ozone
gas into the water stream. Then, the static mixer can be used to break up the gas into small fine
bubbles to dissolve into water efficiently. Essentially a static mixer can be used in place of a venturi
injector, this can be helpful when energy savings are desired due to the lack of necessary pressure
differential.

To force ozone gas into the water stream the ozone gas must be at a higher pressure than the water
stream. Usually a pressure of 10 PSI or greater is necessary to achieve gas flow into the water stream.
This may eliminate the option of using only a static mixer and may require using a venturi injector to
inject the ozone into water. The option of placing a static mixer in-line after the venturi is also an
option.

Plumbing and piping

A static mixer can be placed anywhere in a piping system intended to mix ozone gas with water. The
best location when using a venturi injector to infuse ozone with the water is a few feet downstream of
the injector. If using a contact tank or off-gassing column place the static mixer directly at the inlet of
the tank with the venturi a few feet (as far as practical) upstream from the static mixer.

TIPS FOR DISSOLVING OZONE INTO WATER

Below are some helpful tips and guidelines to take into consideration when dissolving ozone into
water.

Water Temperature

The solubility of ozone into water is temperature dependent. Lower water temperatures will achieve
greater dissolved ozone levels due to a higher solubility rate. The solubility rate is the maximum ration
of liquid to gas achievable for a given gas. While there are many other factors that will affect your
mass transfer of ozone into water, it is very simple to understand that lower water temperatures
increase solubility, if the solubility rate increases the mass transfer of ozone into water will increase.

Solubility of ozone gas

Temp deg C Solubility
0 .64
5 .5
10 .39
15 .31
20 .24
25 .24
30 .15
35 .12
At atmospheric pressure
Water Pressure

Water pressure will play a role in the solubility of ozone into water. When ozone gas is injected into
water at higher pressures more force will be placed on the wall of that gas bubble. This force will
allow ozone to dissolve into water more efficiently. Any of the ozone injection methods will be more
efficient when the entire system is operated at an elevated pressure. For example, water pressures of
35 PSI will have about twice the solubility as water pressures of 10 PSI.

Ozone Concentration

Ozone gas is normally measured in g/hr, however this is only a measurement of how much ozone is
generated. Another method of measuring ozone is the concentration. More ozone in a given gas
volume will mean that the gas has a higher concentration of ozone. This is normally measured in % by
weight, or g/m3.
Ozone at higher concentrations will dissolve into water more efficiently than ozone at lower
concentrations. See chart below for details.

Chart shows the saturation point of ozone in water based upon ozone concentration and
temperature, at atmospheric pressure. Dissolved ozone level shown in mg/l

Water Quality

Any contaminate in the water that may affect water quality may also consume ozone, this will lower
the dissolved ozone levels in the water. While this may be a desired effect due to the purpose of the
ozone in water, it is important to take water quality into consideration when attempting to achieve a
specific dissolved ozone level in the water.

A good example and often overlooked factor is chlorine in the water. Most city water supplies will
have a chlorine residual in the water. When dissolving ozone into this water the ozone may react with
the chlorine and consume some of the ozone.

SUMMARY:

Dissolving ozone into water for any of the various applications listed above may be very simple, or
could be extremely complicated. This will be depending upon the application, and the variables
working within that application. This information should only serve to offer guidance on this process,
for additional information refer to the great resources below, or contact our office and speak with
one of our Application Engineers.

References:

Ozone in Drinking Water Treatment Kerwin L. Rakness pg. 47 & 48

Ozone in Water Treatment Application and Engineering cooperative research report Bruno
Langlais, David Reckhow, Deborah Brink: pg. 24-27, 139-142,

See this entire webpage on our website

Tags: ozone diffusers, ozone injectors, ozone mixers, ozone water systems, ozone water treatment

Updated Ozone Properties Data

Posted by Joel Leusink on October 13, 2011 under Ozone for Beginners | Be the First to Comment

A popular page on the Ozone Solutions webpage is the ozone properties page. Recently the Ozone
Solubility chart on this page was expanded. The chart below shows what we now have on our
website. This data replaces the old chart with only 9 data points that were a little more difficult to
understand due to the units used.

This new chart shows the huge difference in ozone solubility based on water temperature and ozone
concentration. This data is very helpful when designing a new ozone water treatment system,
or troubleshooting existing ozone systems. This data shows that if your water temperature increases
the resulting dissolved ozone level may change dramatically. Or, if ozone is generated at only a
slightly lower concentration dissolved ozone levels will be dramatically lower.

OZONE SOLUBILITY

The solubility of ozone depends on the water temperature and the ozone concentration in the gas
phase: Units in g/m3.

O3 GAS 0o C 5o C 10o C 15o C 20o C 25o C 30o C 35o C

25 g/m3 16 12.5 9.75 7.75 6 4.75 3.75 3
3
50 g/m 32 25 19.5 15.5 12 9.5 7.5 6
3
75 g/m 48 37.5 29.25 23.25 18 14.25 11.25 9
3
100 g/m 64 50 39 31 24 19 15 12
125 g/m3 80 62.5 48.75 38.75 30 23.75 18.75 15
3
150 g/m 96 75 58.5 46.5 36 28.5 22.5 18.75
3
175 g/m 112 87.5 68.25 54.25 42 33.25 26.25 21
3
200 g/m 128 100 78 62 48 38 30 24
Note 14.3 g/m3 = 1% ozone, example 50 g/m3 = 3.5% ozo