Audits

Diagnostic of biological and sanitary risks and/or Industrial risks linked to water installations

Intracellular ATP is a reliable quantitative indicator which can provide a result about the biological contamination in a sample in only 3 minutes. All types of living microorganisms are included in this analysis – cultivable or non cultivable microorganisms, bacteria, amoeba, algae. For a successful investigation of sanitary risks in water installations or during the evaluation of efficiency of water treatments, it is extremely important to take into consideration the whole living biomass. Disfunctioning of water installation with proliferation of microorganisms and potential development of pathogen flora can be easily detected by quantitative ATP method. In such situations, we observe shifting values of active biomass quantity (cATP) along the installation. Zones of high cATP values are areas where there is an uncontrolled built-up biofilm, releasing microorganisms. Such areas are called critical zones.

We take part in investigations on Legionella proliferation in installations or when the need for a better control of sanitary risk has been identified. We are expert in assessing chemical and non chemical treatments on cooling towers installations or industrial process water and we are able to help you assessing the efficiency of the set-up treatment strategy.
We also take part in the resolution of broader microbiological problems, causing clogging, corrosion, final products contamination, additional operating costs etc.

Our approach:
After the establishment of the architecture of the installation, critical control points are identified, in order to collect data representative of the whole water network. Twenty to thirty water samples are analysed using the QGA or the QG21I kits.
This biological mapping enables to process to a Methodical Biological Risks Analysis using the cATP indicator (Intracellular ATP).
The principal information collected using our approach, after analysis of the results obtained during the day, are:

1. localization of critical risk zones with high concentrations of microorganisms, showing the presence of uncontrolled biofilm,
2. determination of the installation parts showing increased risk for proliferation of Legionella and requiring chemical cleaning,
3. assessment of the chemical or physical water treatments efficiency,
4. assessment of chemical treatments strategies and evaluation of  their impact on built-up biofilm,
5. Assistance in the choice of solutions to reduce the frequency of risks.

Aqua-tools can also take part in validation programs of water treatments strategies:

1. validate treatment strategies efficiency on the ecosystem of the installation,
2. prevent sanitary risks,
3. limit the environmental impact.