Kurt C. Peterson, Publisher
The temperatures are rising to comfortable levels and outdoor activities are now in focus. Of course in Tucson, we’ve been enjoying warmer weather for awhile now. The beauty of the desert landscape is awash in new blooms, making one appreciate being outside even more. Soon, the rest of the country will be enjoying warmer temperatures and ready for summer fun.
But warmer weather brings its own array of water treatment challenges, including algal blooms, biofilm buildup and more. Many returning snowbirds should be requesting maintenance on their long-dormant systems before they get too comfortable being home. Summer maintenance should be high on the list of both consumers and water treatment dealers, with warming temperatures promoting the growth of bacteria on certain components. Fix and forget is not an option.
For most water treatment dealers, activated carbon is a major part of their water treatment offering. Manufacturers design and engineer many systems to specific standards, to ensure the best performance of their products. In this issue, Technical Reviewer Gary Battenberg of Parker Hannifin reviews activated carbon’s role as both filtration medium and contactor while Rick Andrew of NSF, International explains the testing requirements for both POU and POE equipment and components in his Water Matters column.
Bacterial contamination can be made worse by warming temperatures, affecting different water treatment applications and the equipment that is deployed. To explain bacterial contamination factors in cooling water applications, Paul Puckorius of Puckorius & Associates, Inc. provides an in-depth article on how to understand, detect and mitigate microbial contamination. This is of great importance in the battle against Legionella outbreaks, which can happen almost anywhere.
Many organizations promote the belief that water is life and that means any kind of contamination can be life-threatening. There are many places where government intervention has been necessary to clean up water resources, resulting in designation as superfund or brownfund sites. Others have a more difficult path to resolution, including Camp LeJeune, NC, which has a history of serious contamination issues that have, for years, adversely impacted military personnel and their families. Our Public Health Editor, Dr. Kelly A. Reynolds of the University of Arizona, takes a closer look at what has happened at that location and what is being done to compensate veterans for illness arising from long-term water contamination.
Convention season is in full swing now, as is the rush to enjoy summer vacations and some are likely to go hand-in-hand. While family members are enjoying the sites and activities offered at several convention venues, our stalwart water treatment specialists, dealers, manufacturers and distributors have a wealth of opportunities to take advantage of learning seminars, product launches and more. Check our Upcoming Events for a comprehensive look at what is coming your way. Whether it’s education, certification, networking or more, conventions are the best way to keep your finger on the pulse of the industry. Be there or be square!