In modern times, the world has become increasingly aware of the public health risk of Legionella. The laws in Australia are currently being harmonised across all states and territories, outlining the responsibility of individuals and organisations to take proactive steps to mitigate the risk of Legionella infection. Failure to comply with these acts and regulations can lead to serious legal consequences, especially if a person contracts Legionnaires disease due to a lack of duty of care.
Control of Legionella bacteria is extremely important, as once the organism has infected a susceptible person, death or prolonged recovery is often the result. Legionnaires disease is very difficult to treat, so the logical course of action is to effectively control the organism rather than treat the illness.
Legionella control starts with eliminating Pseudomonas bacteria and therefore biofilm, as you can read in our article on biofilm here.
Copper silver ionisation, as a residual method of disinfection, is proven to be effective against Legionella bacteria. Not only directly by being lethal to the organism floating in the water, its success is also due to the copper and silver ions being able to penetrate biofilm growing inside the pipework of the water distribution system. Virtually all other forms of disinfection are unable to kill the bacteria when it is residing in the biofilm, where it is also breeding.
Thanks to almost three decades of research and development, Bion Systems have delivered to the world a unique device, the Accuion TM Copper Silver Ionisation Unit.
Bion Systems AccuionTM Copper Silver Ionisation technology is the world’s first fully automated, self-compensating, proportional dosing Copper Silver disinfection system. The AccuionTM is cost effective, safe, environmentally friendly and scientifically proven to eliminate biofilm and a plethora of harmful waterborne pathogens including Legionella bacteria, Pseudomonas, E.Coli and Salmonella.
Bion Systems AccuionTM Silver Ionisation technology is suited to specialised applications where the addition of copper is not required, such as bottled water and beverage production, shipboard potable water disinfection and Central Sterile Services Departments (CSSD). Featuring the full suite of AccuionTM technological features, our Silver Ionisation system is an advanced and efficient disinfection system, that provides biological control with low levels of ion addition.
Many species of waterborne bacteria exist in two distinctly separate forms. They exist as planktonic (free floating organisms) and they can also exist in sessile form (attached to a surface).
Once the organism has changed from being free floating to sessile, it starts to produce mucous, which is referred to as biofilm.
The purpose of this biofilm is to:
Surfaces where biofilm is commonly found include pipework, taps & valves, cisterns and storage tanks.
Virtually all other forms of disinfection are unable to kill the bacteria when it is residing in the biofilm.
By killing the sessile bacteria, and thus dissolving the biofilm, it effectively breaks the breeding cycle of the organism.
Working synergistically together, copper and silver are able to powerfully penetrate the biofilm, and kill the sessile organisms residing within
Once the sessile organisms are killed, the biolfilm naturally dissolves.
The AccuionTM system is cost effective, safe, environmentally friendly and scientifically proven to eliminate biofilm and a plethora of harmful waterborne pathogens including Legionella bacteria, Pseudomonas, E.Coli and Salmonella.
Additional benefits of AccuionTM technology include:
What is Copper Silver Ionisation?
Copper Silver Ionisation is a powerful, safe and efficient method of disinfecting water for public health. Its efficacy has been rigorously studied in scientific literature, and comes with over 60 years of proven results.
Copper Silver Ionisation technology works by using an electrical current to break off individual atoms from the metals and release them into the water.
These ions are natural biocides, that kill both free floating waterborne pathogens and the sessile versions of the organisms that reside within the biofilm, providing round the clock protection against harmful pathogens, including Legionella bacteria, Pseudomonas, E.Coli and Salmonella.
One of the great benefits of Copper Silver Ionisation, is that the metals do not effect the taste or odour of the water. Yet the water is transformed into a friendly yet powerful disinfectant that circulates throughout the pipe work, eradicating deposits of biofilm and effectively killing the harmful bacteria hiding within; while remaining completely safe and harmless to humans, plants and animals.
Read our full article What is Copper Silver Ionisation?
What is Silver Ionisation?
Silver Ionisation works on exactly the same principle as Copper Silver Ionisation, using an electric current to break atoms off the silver anode and dissolving them into the water. It is an intelligent, scientifically proven disinfection method that provides biological control with low levels of ion addition.
It is used in applications where low levels of ion concentration is a requirement, such as bottled water and beverage production, shipboard potable water disinfection, Central Sterile Services Departments (CSSD) and more…
To find out more about whether Silver Ionisation is the right option for your application, contact us.
Where can an AccuionTM system be used?
Bion Systems build a range of units to suit a wide array of applications from large hospitals, aged care facilities, dental clinics, food processing, beverage production, pharmecuetical manufacturing, hotels and restaurants, commercial buildings and apartments, cooling towers, marine vessels, mining applications and AI data centres.
Wherever public safety and water quality is paramount, our systems will deliver outstanding results. Contact us if you would like to discuss your application.
How much does the AccuionTM system cost?
AccuionTM units are sized according to the peak flow rate demands of a facility’s water distribution system. The pricing of our models will naturally differ depending on these requirements. Our off the shelf models range from smaller units that treat up to 50 litres per minute, through to units capable of treating up to 1200 litres per minute peak flow. Custom units are available on request for any flow rate.
If you would like to receive a quote for your specific application, please contact us.
What is the difference between UV sterilisation and Copper Silver Ionisation?
While UV sterilisation is a commonly employed disinfection method, its efficacy in a water distribution system is very limited and in many cases entirely ineffective.
UV sterilisation is only effective at its point of use, which means, it will not kill pathogens downstream of where the UV light is positioned. Unless a UV light is installed at every outlet in a water distribution system, site-wide disinfection is not possible. Copper Silver Ionisation, on the other hand, is a residual disinfectant that remains active through the entire water distribution system from the point of addition, till the water flows from the outlet.
What are the benefits of Copper Silver compared to chlorine dosing?
Copper Silver Ionisation effectively kills Legionella. Chlorine does not kill this microorganism. It only temporarily disables it. This alone is good reason to use Copper Silver Ionisation at your facility.
Additionally, Copper Silver Ionisation does not damage pipework, or components of the water distribution system or process. Chlorine being an oxidising biocide, is very harmful to copper pipework, plastic and synthetic components, adding tens of thousands of dollars to maintenance and repair bills.
Read our full article on the difference between chlorine and Copper Silver Ionisation.
If you would like to discuss the benefits of Copper Silver Ionisation in comparison with chlorine dosing systems, contact us.
