FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• What are hotspots?

• How do I know if I have "hot spots" or biofilm buildup?

• Is BioFaze™ safe?

• What about the formation of Disinfection Byproducts?

• What if I am already doing unidirectional flushing or pigging?

What are "hot spots"?

All distribution systems have some low flow areas where microbial regrowth and biofilms can occur. This microbial regrowth sometimes appears as nuisance Total Coliform positive samples and can be quantified through Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) bacterial analysis. The occurrence of biofilms in these stagnant zones can use up the available disinfectant residual leading to regulatory compliance and consumer issues. Although typical maintenance and flushing efforts can restore disinfectant residuals to a certain degree, these practices are incapable of removing significant amounts of biofilm, and at a high cost of labor and water. CO2 Enhanced Flushing with BioFaze™ allows an efficient, routine procedure to be performed by existing personnel with highly effective results.

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How do I know if I have "hot spots" or biofilm buildup?

You may experience customer complaints, particularly during warmer weather, or you may experience Total Coliform violations. Sometimes it's difficult to know without testing or reviewing HPC and other data.

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Is BioFaze™ safe?

As documented in laboratory testing by the EPA and further confirmed through field testing, CO2 Enhanced Flushing with BioFaze™ is completely reliable and safe. BioFaze™ utilizes carbon dioxide, not dangerous chemicals which require special handling and may harm the distribution lines. BioFaze™ is effective on all types of pipe materials.

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What about the formation of Disinfection Byproducts?

The occurrence of biofilms in stagnant zones of distribution lines depletes the disinfectant residual resulting in elevated disinfectant byproduct (DBP) levels. This may become a compliance issue for water systems as the Stage 2 DBP rule becomes effective. CO2 Enhanced Flushing with BioFaze™ effectively breaks up and removes biofilm colonies, allowing the residual disinfectant to inactivate the microbes and their metabolites which can react with residual disinfectants to form DBPs.

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What if I'm already doing unidirectional flushing or pigging?

CO2 Enhanced Flushing with BioFaze™ works well in conjunction with these programs by augmenting a more generalized unidirectional flush with a targeted biofilm removal, that shear force alone can't accomplish. With pigging programs, BioFaze™ can ensure that the biological removal is performed along with the mechanical removal, offering a very comprehensive distribution system rehabilitation alternative to costly infrastructure replacement.

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