Legionella is a waterborne pathogen that can cause serious health and liability risk for facilities and businesses, and it is much more prominent throughout water distribution systems than people would like to admit. Legionella and other bacteria are harbored in biofilms and scale that naturally build throughout water distribution systems allowing the pathogens to proliferate and spread. Removing and preventing these biofilms and scale is the foundation of stopping the spread of Legionella and other dangerous pathogens.

Blue Earth Products’ Clearitas® is engineered to remove organic and inorganic deposits within water distribution systems. Its unique oxidizing properties enable it to penetrate and break the attachment mechanisms holding the deposits together and to surfaces. When used online with a traditional disinfectant, it will help remediate and prevent the presence of Legionella and other harmful bacteria in water systems. Adding Clearitas is simple with low up-front costs and minimally required maintenance. Have peace of mind knowing your Legionella risks are mitigated with Clearitas in your system. Contact Us to learn how Blue Earth Products can support your Legionella prevention program.

ASHRAE Standard 188 provides specifications on how a facility must manage and reduce the presence of Legionella bacteria in building water systems. When developing your water management plan in accordance with ASHRAE 188, add Clearitas to operations and maintenance plan for continuous Legionella control and prevention.

The Clearitas Difference

How is Clearitas different from other common Legionella treatments?

Rather than targeting the pathogens directly, Clearitas targets the biofilms and scale harboring the pathogens. Clearitas effectively breaks down the mechanisms that hold biofilms together destroying the pathogens’ home. With nowhere to live, Legionella and other bacteria can be effectively removed. When used in conjunction with a primary disinfectant, Clearitas eliminates the damaging and unhealthy effects of biofilms and scales within water systems.

Limitations of common treatment methods:

  • Chlorine – Although chlorine is a powerful disinfectant, it is not guaranteed to fully eliminate biofilms, even when used in high concentrations. Chlorine can often burn off the upper layers of biofilms, but it does not effectively break through to the internal biofilm layers, leaving biofilm and bacteria present in the system.
  • Shock Thermal Treatment – When shock thermal treatment is used at temperatures above 70°C for several hours, success is achieved but only for a temporary period.
  • Copper or Silver – Copper and silver are moderately effective at removing pathogens, but they require precise and proper management when applied.
  • Ozone or UV – Ozone and ultraviolet systems are effective for recirculating systems only. They also cannot address established biofilms where the bacteria are already being harbored in the system.
  • Chlorine Dioxide – Chlorine dioxide is limited in hot water systems and far plumbing reaches. Its effectiveness wanes with higher temperatures and further distances. Research has also indicated that low doses of chlorine dioxide can promote biofilm growth, leading to potentially more issues if not properly administered.
  • Chloramine – While chloramine is less powerful than chlorine, it has been successful at reducing Legionella counts in plumbing systems but faces the same limitations as chlorine. Chloramine is also known to be a health risk.

No one method has been completely effective when used on its own. However, facilities can increase the effectiveness of Legionella and bacteria elimination by combining Clearitas with other techniques.

For additional information on Clearitas or to review case studies related to Legionella remediation and prevention, click here.