In any type of cooling system; open or closed, once through or recirculating, growth of microorganisms is a major hindrance. The available heat from the water, air, nutrients and the pH level create an ideal environment for rapid growth often results in biofilm and slime. Organizations like hospitals, data centers, factories and even large commercial […]
Articles
A Safe and Effective Alternative for Silica/Silicate Scale Removal
Garratt-Callahan Formula 9420 Operators and managers of industrial heating, cooling and ventilation water systems rely on water treatment to ensure heat exchange efficiency and to extend system life expectancy. However, operational changes or issues relating to treatment failures, corrosion, or scale formation may warrant cleaning. Water containing high amounts of silica, if not properly controlled […]
Why Water Safety Is More Than Testing And Chemicals
With the global pandemic and variants of viruses being spread via aerosolized and aspirated droplets, water safety is more critical now than at any other time in our global history. Waterborne pathogens found in water systems include building sprinklers, water features, fountains, and delivery pipes. Anywhere water is stored, left to sit, or is used intermittently, or held in pipes is subject to the creation of biofilms. These hard-to-remove biofilms allow the bacteria to grow and multiply in a protected shell until eventually released and is aerosolized through various point-of-use devices.
Wastewater Testing: Testing identifies fragments of RNA from SARS CoV-2
Doctors order tests to verify a suspected diagnosis or simply to confirm we are as well as we feel. The tests reveal a great deal about what is going on inside of us. Given that what’s inside of us can also be found in wastewater, it seems logical that wastewater analysis could reveal telltale signs […]
How Biofilms Affect Cooling Tower Operation: The Answer To Low Efficiency
The efficiency of cooling towers is always a topic of discussion and worth a deeper dive. Even a well-controlled scale or corrosion inhibitor program can be significantly affected by the presence of flourishing microorganisms. Because the interior of a cooling tower is usually moist and warm, it provides an ideal condition for microorganisms to flourish and they subsequently migrate throughout the entire cooling system.
Data Center Cooling Options and Water Quality Management
The need for cooling and controlling the temperature of data center equipment presents a major challenge for data centers and their data facility managers. Managing a data center environment based on the unique temperature requirements and heat generation characteristics of the equipment requires organization and diligence. The task is especially daunting without the support of […]
Reverse Osmosis Systems Explained
Our most abundant and valuable resource can be detrimental to the very systems that purify it, contain it, and ultimately distribute it to our homes and businesses. Given this, ensuring water is safe for use involves more than just treating it with chemicals to control bacteria and remove contaminants.
G-C 2021 Calendar Images
2021 marks Garratt-Callahan’s 117th year in helping clients with their water treatment needs. Last year presented many challenges for our clients, as facilities responded to COVID-19 safety protocols. We’re grateful to all our clients who allowed us to serve them. May 2021 bring new insights, prosperity, health, and be filled with peace to all.” Sincerely,Jeffrey […]
Prevalence and Prevention of Legionnaires Disease
Legionnaires disease is a respiratory infection “resulting from aspiration of clumps of Legionella biofilms detached from air and water [HVAC] systems.” Its name stems from a three-day convention of the American Legion held at the Bellevue Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia in July 1976. More than 2,000 attended the annual event. Within a few days after it ended, attendees and others who were at the hotel began showing up in hospital emergency rooms with mysterious respiratory symptoms – just over 200 in all. Despite doctors’ efforts, more than 34 people lost their lives to the illness.
Emergency Water Supply Planning
According to the American Hospital Association, about 36.3 million people are admitted to U.S. hospitals each year. We don’t typically think a lot about the availability of a resource as basic as water in medical institutions. But when there is a natural disaster or an unexpected man-made event, the dedicated staff of these institutions have it top of mind. Most hospitals keep back-up generators to handle the power outages usually caused by hurricanes. They don’t necessarily maintain an alternative water supply in case a water main suddenly breaks, or the power outage from a hurricane lasts longer than their generator capacity.