• Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • Call Me Back
  • About
  • Knowledge
📞 Call us on 0330 223 31 31
Water Treatment Services
  • Home
  • Water
    • Applications
      • Boiler Water Treatment
      • Cooling Water Treatment
      • Closed Loop Water Treatment
      • Legionella Control
    • Services
      • Cooling Tower Cleaning
      • Cooling Tower Maintenance
      • Chlorine Dioxide Water Treatment
      • Commercial Water Softeners
      • Pre-Commission Cleaning
      • Tank Reline & Repair
      • TMV Servicing
      • Water Chlorination & Disinfection
      • Water Leak Detection
      • Water Testing
        • Drinking Water Testing
        • Metals Testing
        • Pool Water Testing
        • BSRIA Closed System Testing
        • SDI Testing & Analysis
        • Trade Effluent Testing
    • Training
      • Water Treatment Training
      • Basic Chemistry of Water
      • Industrial Treatment
      • Pre-Treatment
      • Boiler Treatment
      • Cooling Systems
      • Closed Systems
      • Wastewater Training
      • Advanced Treatments
      • Training Dates 2021
  • Wastewater
    • Metals Testing
    • Trade Effluent Testing
    • Wastewater Training
  • Air
    • Ductwork Cleaning
    • Indoor Air Quality
    • Local Exhaust Ventilation Testing
    • Mould Testing
  • Energy
  • Legionella
    • Legionella Risk Assessment
    • Legionella Training Courses
      • Legionella Awareness Training
      • Responsible Person Training
      • Water Hygiene Awareness
      • Pseudomonas Training
      • Training Dates 2021
    • Legionella Testing
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
You are here: Home1 / Knowledge2 / Energy3 / Bacteria in Closed Heating & Chilled Water Systems
Bacteria in closed heating and cooling systems

Bacteria in Closed Heating & Chilled Water Systems

With the increasing complexity of building services installations in modern, highly serviced offices, commercial buildings and other work spaces, the need to manage and control bacteria in closed heating and chilled water systems is becoming ever more important.

Bacteria in closed heating & chilled water systems

Here we consider the main problems caused by bacteria in closed heating and chilled water systems, we look at how to carry our simple water tests to identify the contaminating bacteria, and the types of bacteria that are commonly found to contaminate closed systems.

The many problems associated with the bacterial contamination of open circuit pipework systems, especially open evaporative cooling water systems and cooling towers is now well recognised, particularly where waterborne pathogens such as Legionella bacteria can present safety critical issues.

Approved codes of practice, detailed guidance notes and tried and tested management and control procedures now exist for dealing effectively with microbial contamination in such open circuit systems.

However, the issues associated with the growth and proliferation of bacteria in closed heating and chilled water systems is still less understood although there are a number of key guides now available to assist building services engineers, water treatment companies and facilities management specialists in this important area including:

  • BSRIA Guide BG 50/2013

    BSRIA Guide BG 50/2013 – Water Treatment for Closed Heating and Cooling Systems.

  • British Standards

    British Standards BG 29/2012 – Pre-Commission Cleaning of Pipework Systems.

  • CIBSE AM14

    CIBSE AM14 – Non-Domestic Hot Water Heating Systems.

  • BS 8552:2012

    BS 8552:2012 – Sampling and monitoring of water from building services closed systems. Code of practice.

What problems are caused by bacteria in closed systems?

The presence of unwanted bacteria in closed heating and chilled systems can cause a number of potentially serious problems including:

  • Accelerated corrosion of the system

    Accelerated corrosion of the closed circuit system can occur resulting in increased maintenance costs, reduced performance and premature system failure.

    The corrosion tends to result from the formation of organic acids, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia etc. within the closed system.

  • System blockages

    The closed system and its components can become blocked by a build-up of bacteria and microbial slimes.

    These cause blockages of the strainers, control valves and pipework.

  • Reduced system efficiency

    Microbial fouling of the internal closed circuit surfaces, in particular heat exchange surfaces reduces system efficiency and leads to increased costs.

  • Poor commissioning data

    The build-up of bacteria and generation of internal gases with in the closed circuit system can affect the accuracy of commissioning data leading to poorly configured systems.

How to test for closed system bacterial contamination

Typical bacterial contamination of closed heating and chilled water systems can include pseudomonas, sulphate reducing bacteria, nitrite reducing bacteria and other slime forming bacteria.

Avoiding contamination of closed circuit water systems should be your primary objective, however if you suspect problematic microbial contamination has occurred then there are a number of simple tests you can perform on a water sample taken from the system to confirm this. The tests include:

  • Smell

    If the water sample is contaminated with bacteria it is likely to have a distinct, usually unpleasant smell. A strong smell of stagnant water will be a good indication that microbial contamination is present.

  • Colour

    If the water sample is contaminated with bacteria it is likely to have a distinctive brown or green colour. This colour change would tend to indicate the presence of algae or other bacteria contamination.

  • Clarity

    If the water sample is contaminated with bacteria it is likely to have a distinctive cloudy appearance.

    Cloudy water will be a good indication that microbial contamination is present and is often caused by organics produced by the bacteria.

  • Dip slide test

    A simple test using a dip slide which is then incubated will often be sufficient to identify the general level of microbial contamination.

    If you need to identify the type of bacteria causing the contamination then a more extensive laboratory water test will be required.

Closed Systems Testing

Types of bacteria commonly found to contaminate closed heating & chilled water systems

Types of bacteria commonly found to contaminate closed heating and chilled water systems
BacteriaTypical CharacteristicsTemppH
Pseudomonas BacteriaPseudomonas Aeruginosa –  slime forming aerobic bacteria20 – 40 °C4 – 8
Sulphate Reducing Bacteria (SRB)Desulfovibrio – anaerobic bacteria that forms hydrogen sulphide20 – 40 °C4 – 8
Sulphur BacteriaThiobaciullus – sulphuric acid forming aerobic bacteria20 – 40 °C1 – 6
Iron BacteriaLeptothrix – slime forming aerobic bacteria20 – 40 °C7.4 – 9.5

Expert closed system engineering solutions

Water Treatment Services are a leading independent UK water management company offering expert water management solutions including the management of closed heating and chilled water systems, water disinfection, cleaning and chlorination of water systems, pre-commission cleaning, boiler and cooling water treatment, energy efficiency and engineering support services..

With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained engineers, site service specialists and technical experts we can offer water management treatment services including the management of closed heating and chilled water systems across the whole of the UK.

Contact us today to learn how our water management solutions can ensure your building services installations are maintained to achieve optimum performance… contact us →

Contact Us Today

Further reading…

More information about bacteria in closed heating and chilled water systems… here →

Tags: Closed circuit cooling, Closed circuit heating, closed circuits, Pseudomonas, water treatment
You might also like
Expansion vessels and legionella risks Guide to Expansion Vessels & Legionella Risks
What is Silver Hydrogen Peroxide? What is Silver Stabilised Hydrogen Peroxide?
Biocides for closed systems Choosing Biocides for Closed Systems – Closed Circuit Heating & Cooling Systems
Industrial steam boiler selection guide Industrial Steam Boilers – Plant Selection Guide
10 facts about water boreholes 10 Facts About Water Boreholes
Closed system filters - equipment selection guide Closed System Filters – Equipment Selection Guide
Seawater desalination Is Seawater Desalination the Solution to Water Scarcity?
Testing water for lead Testing Water for Lead – The Dangers of Lead Pipes & Plumbing

Search…

What’s New

  • How to Prevent Mould Growth in the Workplace

    How to Prevent Mould Growth in the Workplace

    In this workplace safety review the environmental hygiene specialists …
  • How Expert Reports Help Resolve Disputes

    How Expert Reports Help Resolve Disputes

    Water Treatment Services experienced expert witnesses provide independent, impartial …
  • How Industrial Wastewater Treatment Works

    How Industrial Wastewater Treatment Works

    In this article the wastewater treatment specialists at WTS …
  • Mining Wastewater Treatment & Water Reuse

    Mining Wastewater Treatment & Water Reuse

    In this article the industrial water treatment specialists at …
  • Can Regular Flushing Control Legionella in Hot & Cold Water Systems?

    Can Regular Flushing Control Legionella in Hot & Cold Water Systems?

    In this article the legionella and water safety specialists …
  • What is Coagulation in Wastewater Treatment?

    What is Coagulation in Wastewater Treatment?

    In this article the industrial water specialists at Water …

REVIEWS

4.8
Rated 4.8 out of 5
Water Treatment Services is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars (based on 97 reviews)
Read our reviews

Free Newsletter

Receive exciting features, news, latest research and special offers! Just add your email address and we'll do the rest.

Contact us

Water Treatment Services

[email protected]

Tel: 0330 223 31 31

© Copyright 2022 - EDG Ltd. Operating as Water Treatment Services
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • Home
  • About
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • Environment
  • Reviews
  • Sitemap
Chlorination of Water Systems, Mains Water Pipework & Water Tanks Chlorination of water systems Controlling bacteria in closed systems Controlling Bacteria in Closed Systems
Scroll to top

WTS response to Covid-19. As a responsible organisation we have robust Business Continuity Plans in place to ensure business as usual whatever the circumstance. In response to Covid-19, our aim is to ensure continued operations whilst protecting both our people and our clients. To this end we have initiated a number of practical measures that will allow us to continue to support our clients in the most appropriate way. Rest assured that we are making every effort to prevent or minimise any impact on our services during this public health challenge.

OK

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Google Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.

If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Other cookies

The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them:

Privacy Policy

You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.

Privacy
Accept settingsHide notification only