Amazing Water Resources
If you find it easiest to understand a new concept through some type of visualization, you’re not alone. If you happen to be a ‘visual’ person and have an interest in water, there are a ton of great resources available online that can bring out the map-geek and marine biologist in anyone. Here at… Read More
Most Wanted Microbes – Candidatus Accumulibacter
From the editor: This is the eleventh post in an ongoing series profiling microorganisms of particular significance in water and wastewater systems. In this series we will cover microorganisms of many types including some that are beneficial, inhibitory and pathogenic. Candidatus Accumulibacter is a phosphorus accumulating organism (PAOs), meaning it can store copious quantities of phosphorus under specific conditions in a process referred to as enhanced biological phosphorus removal. Systems that select for Candidatus… Read More
Am I Missing Something? A Look into the Dangers of Viable but Nonculturable Cells (VBNC)
“I’ve performed the plate count… but what am I missing?” For over a century, lab technicians for water treatment facilities have turned to culturable plate counts as their main weapon in quantifying the bacterial count for a system. What may come as a shock to these facilities is that even after a treatment has… Read More
Most Wanted Microbes – Iron Reducing Bacteria (IRB)
While sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) are widely known as a major cause of MIC in carbon steel, other bacteria with different physiological properties have been identified as potential contributors in the corrosion process as well. Iron reducing bacteria (IRB), for example, are heterotrophic facultative anaerobes which reduce ferric ions to ferrous ions under anaerobic… Read More
No Grey Area to This Issue: Slimes of All Colours Can Cause Costly Problems in Papermaking Processes
Pink, orange, red, brown and grey – paper mill slimes can come in an endless range of colours. What contributes to these variances in colour? Microorganisms. Different species – which live within a slime – produce different hues. Unfortunately, you won’t find gold at the end of that rainbow. In fact, it’s quite the… Read More
How Can You Quickly Implement ATP Monitoring in Your Drinking Water System?
From the editor: You’ve likely heard of ATP technology, but may not have had the time to fully explore the value it can bring to your existing microbial monitoring program. Here’s a brief overview on how you can utilize ATP testing to identify and mitigate microbiological issues in your drinking water treatment and distribution… Read More
The United Nations: Protecting Our Water
The United Nations plays an important role in many, if not all, of the issues facing the planet. Since the end of World War II, the organization has worked to safeguard international security and human rights. Probably the highest profile examples of the UN’s work are the multinational peacekeeping forces at work in the… Read More
Most Wanted Microbes – Coliforms
From the editor: This is the ninth post in an ongoing series profiling microorganisms of particular significance in water and wastewater systems. In this series we will cover microorganisms of many types including some that are beneficial, inhibitory and pathogenic. Coliforms are a group of gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that generally belong within the family of… Read More
Maximize ATP Test Result Accuracy with Our Pipetting Tips and Tricks!
If you purchased one of our portable equipment sets, you received a set of fixed-volume pipettes. These pipettes allow you to run ATP analyses in the field without worrying about damaging your expensive adjustable pipettors. They are light, portable, and easy to use, but they do require some care and the occasional maintenance check… Read More
Most Wanted Microbes – Cyanobacteria (a.k.a. Blue Green Algae)
An image search for the term “algae” quickly reveals a page filled with photos of green-colored surface water. Many of these green blooms that often invade our lakes and rivers are well known by water treatment professionals and the public as ‘blue-green algae’. It’s responsible for beach closures, public health risks, and creates significant… Read More