What Is ASHRAE 188?
ASHRAE 188 is a standard created in 2015 (and updated in 2018) which outlines the importance of a water management plan for preventing the growth and spread of Legionella, a bacteria that can lead to the potentially life-threatening Legionnaires Disease. The standard suggests that certain facilities like healthcare facilities or overnight facilities (such as hotels) actively treat water for Legionella. While this is an optional standard, many local building codes are requiring facilities to adhere to it and create a new water treatment plan or update an existing one.
Those at Risk
While a proper water management plan is recommended for any facility with a complex water system, ASHRAE 188 identifies several factors that increase the risk of the spreading Legionellosis, which may lead to stricter enforcement for certain types of facilities. For example, people over the age of 65, as well as people with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to contracting Legionnaires Disease, so healthcare or assisted living facilities are more likely to be required to implement and maintain a water management plan
Creating a Water Treatment/Management Plan
A water treatment plan can be difficult to come up with, but in order to remain compliant and safe, one may be necessary for your facility. All water systems are a little different depending on factors such as location, type of application being used, and the age of the system. A water treatment expert is able to analyze a water system and identify what treatment methods will work best to create a lasting, compliant water treatment program. FCT Water also offers continuous customer support and a free system analysis with our management plans. Contact us today for more information on how we can help you build a water treatment plan that will last!
3 Hidden Causes of Copper Corrosion in Cooling Water Systems
Copper corrosion can sneak up on industrial facilities, often showing up as pinhole leaks, blue-green staining, or sudden heat-exchanger failures. While operators typically look for obvious culprits like low pH or oxidizing biocides, several less obvious causes quietly drive copper degradation in cooling water systems. Here are three overlooked contributors.…
Corrosion vs. Erosion: Not the Same Thing
In industrial water systems, people often use “corrosion” and “erosion” interchangeably—but they’re very different problems with different root causes and different solutions. Misdiagnosing one for the other can lead to wasted money and persistent equipment damage. Corrosion: A Chemical or Electrochemical Reaction Corrosion happens when water chemistry interacts with metal…
Managing High-TDS Waters in Mining
Mining operations—especially those involving evaporation ponds, groundwater extraction, or process reuse—often deal with extremely high total dissolved solids (TDS). High-TDS water can create scaling, corrosion, and mechanical failures that impact production reliability. Managing it effectively requires a balance of chemistry control, physical separation, and smart system design. Why High TDS…
The Future of Industrial Water Treatment: Emerging Technologies
Industrial water treatment is entering a new era driven by tighter regulations, sustainability targets, and the need to reduce operational costs. Facilities are moving beyond traditional clarifiers and chemical dosing toward intelligent, data-driven, and energy-efficient systems. Here are the top emerging technologies shaping the future of industrial water treatment. 1.…
PFAS Treatment Technologies Compared: Resin, RO, GAC, AOP
PFAS contamination has become one of the most challenging issues in industrial water treatment. These “forever chemicals” resist traditional treatment, accumulate in the environment, and pose increasing regulatory pressure for manufacturers, utilities, and industrial facilities. To help decision-makers choose the right approach, here’s a breakdown of the four leading PFAS…
Top 5 Indicators Your Boiler Water Quality Is at Risk
Boiler systems are critical assets in industrial plants, and poor water quality can lead to scaling, corrosion, inefficiency, and expensive downtime. Spotting early warning signs can help prevent major system failures. Here are the top five indicators your boiler water quality is at risk. Start With a Free Consultation 1.…
Water Treatment Challenges in Food & Beverage Manufacturing
Food and beverage manufacturers face some of the strictest water quality requirements of any industrial sector. Water is used at nearly every stage of production—ingredient water, sanitation, utility water, cooling, heating, and wastewater management. Because of this, even minor fluctuations in water quality can affect product safety, consistency, and regulatory…
Why Industrial Water Systems Need Routine Audits
Routine water audits are one of the most effective—and most overlooked—ways for industrial facilities to improve system performance, reduce operational costs, and stay ahead of compliance challenges. As water quality directly impacts equipment lifespan, energy usage, and product output, regular auditing provides essential insight into unseen risks like scaling, corrosion,…
Corrosion and Biological Contamination in Industrial Water
In industrial water systems, corrosion is more than just a nuisance—it’s a costly and potentially dangerous problem that can impact system performance, safety, and longevity. While many people associate corrosion with purely chemical or electrochemical reactions, biological contamination plays a surprisingly significant role in accelerating and complicating corrosion processes. At…
Industrial Water Scale: Cause, Composition, and Impact
In industrial water systems, scale formation is one of the most common operational issues that we see. From boilers, to cooling towers, to heat exchangers, scale buildup can drastically reduce efficiency, increase energy consumption, and harm equipment. Understanding what scale is, how it forms, and how it impacts industrial water…