Copper ionization ban!
Are you prepared for the copper ionization ban to be imposed on the 1st February 2013. After the 1st February 2013 it becomes illegal to sell or use water treatment products or systems that add copper ions into the water as a biocide under new EU ruling.
However, it is understood that to ensure Legionella control is not compromised the HSE have stressed that it is essential systems continue to be suitably managed and maintained to control the risks. It is also understood that the HSE will pursue an “Essential use derogation” which will mean relaxations or appeals for use of copper for Legionella Control in the UK. Nonetheless, the decision for special use is unlikely to be heard in time for the ban not to be implemented.
There are many organisations using copper and silver ionization techniques to control Legionella in their water systems. To simply switch them off after this date would be a real difficult decision.
We suggest you review your current water treatment programme and determine whether this could affect you. If so speak to your water treatment contractor who will help to put an alternative measure or system in place.
Your water treatment contractor should be able to advise you of the steps to take in the interim between the 1st February and the essential use appeal.
The main thing will be to ensure if necessary alternative measures are put in place that doesn’t compromise the control regime. Good luck to all those 1000’s who may need to think about an alternative for the cooper and silver ionisation systems they installed.
Silver survives!
It’s important to highlight that the use of silver ions in water as a disinfectant is still allowed.
Current cooper and silver ionisation systems could become compliant by simply removing the copper ionisation element/ process of the water treatment regime leaving the silver ions to provide the biocide effect.
Whilst this is likely to reduce the biocidal and particularly the biofilm prevention/ penetration element of the product it should still offer a level of protection.
However, it will be important that silver levels do not exceed those acceptable in drinking water. Products such as silver hydrogen peroxide can and will still be used on domestic water services and in drinking water services so long as the system is flushed so silver levels are less than 0.1mg/l.