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BWS Solutions; Our Story

After years of working in the industry, our team has identified significant opportunities for improvement in the area of Legionella prevention and remediation to enhance the health and safety of building occupants and the public.  We recognized that those ultimately responsible for building operations, are tasked with managing an oversimplified process, that in reality is complex and incredibly sensitive. Unaware of the risks and ultimately liable for any failures to perform the required programs, these operators require education and guidance through the complex science of proper building management. 

 

The Process

Traditionally, HVAC-R and mechanical contractors have been carrying out cooling tower cleanings, if included as part of routine maintenance programs for cooling towers. Chemical companies have been providing the water treatment for cooling towers to manage and mitigate corrosion, scale and most importantly bacteria.  With introduction of legionella prevention bylaws and legislation, an additional piece was added to the puzzle, leaving it up to building managers and those responsible to figure out how to manage and meet the expectations of local authorities.  Thus chemical companies have filled in the legionella sampling & testing gap, leaving HVAC-R and Mechanical contractors to complete the cleaning.​

 

What's missing?

Cooling tower cleaning has been carried out by those in the industry for many years. Ultimately the goal of cleaning has been to remove debris and improve operational efficiency to reduce equipment wear and electrical consumption. As time has passed and those in the industry have become more aware of legionella bacteria and its associated health implications, cleaning has been used as means to reduce risk and exposure. 


Due to improper training, in many cases cleaning is conducted with little to no Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Whether a cooling tower or decorative fountain, when cleaning, a properly fitted (fit tested) mask, with the correct filter cartridges should be used to prevent inhalation of fine water droplets that could be contaminated with legionella. Pressure washing is commonly used when cleaning a cooling tower. It is an especially aggressive cleaning technique which removes debris from surfaces. Legionella bacteria live and thrive in biofilms and debris, thus during this process of removal and agitation can potentially expose workers to legionella bacteria.​

A key missing piece that so often overlooked or miss-understood is that to eliminate bacteria, especially the legionella bacteria, we must disinfect the system during the cleaning process. Disinfection, most commonly occurs through the application of careful chemistry, specifically a biocide, to kill any bacteria present in the system.​ Removal of green biofilm and debris, though visibly appealing, is miss-leading in that legionella bacteria and other microorganisms are not visible to the human eye and thus are still present on surfaces. ​

 

The BWS Solutions Advantage

BWS Solutions is not a chemical manufacture or mechanical contractor, but rather an integrated services and solutions provider. We bring cohesiveness to the process in order to offer an optimal outcome by providing a complete solution package to building water systems.  We are 100% Canadian owned company providing building managers and those responsible for building occupants and public safety a one stop shop solution to managing all things Legionella bacteria and water management. We are proud to work with our customers in their buildings, doing the dirty work that results in a healthy and safe environment. So let's talk today!

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