The Challenge
Four separate facilities located in a major city in Alberta faced a common problem: their pure water systems were struggling to produce water that met the required standards. These systems were crucial as they supplied labs, fisheries, and dialysis centers. Though these companies were not all customers of High Purity Water Services (HPWS), they had tried contacting the original installers of their water systems and had received no response. The urgency of the situation demanded a swift resolution.
Our challenge was twofold: determine why these issues were occurring simultaneously and find a solution. While replacing consumables may have been a quick solution, identifying the root cause required a thorough investigation.
Our Solution
HPWS initiated the process by requesting pictures and detailed information from the affected companies to identify any patterns causing these problems. It became evident that all four systems suffered from heavily fouled pre-filtration, necessitating expensive membrane replacements.
Pre-filtration is designed to safeguard membranes, making this a pressing concern. Further discovery revealed that the city water feeding each system originated from the same source. Recently, the water provider had introduced Orthophosphate to clean the existing underground piping. Typically, a pre-filtration system with sediment filters and carbon blocks can handle this, protecting the critical RO membranes. However, in this instance, it failed to do so.
In our research, we discovered that if the water also contained iron, it could undergo a chemical reaction to form iron phosphate. This reaction could occur after pre-filtration if the filters were not of sufficient quality. We concluded that this was the root cause of the fouled membranes. Examination of some pre-filters confirmed that bacteria and grime were accumulating on the filter exteriors instead of utilizing their full depth, which allowed poor-quality water to bypass the defense.
With the problem identified, we formulated a plan to restore our customers’ confidence in their water systems. All four companies followed our recommendation and purchased the recommended pre-filters and new membranes to promptly address their water quality issues. We advised them to replace the pre-filters every two weeks until the water samples were free of the troublesome chemical and the systems operated smoothly once more. By adhering to this schedule, they protected the RO membranes, which typically last for two years (rather than two weeks!), ensuring the issue did not recur.
Through our diligent discovery process and commitment to delivering lasting solutions, HPWS strengthened its relationships with new partners who recognized our dedication to their success rather than pursuing quick sales. We remain steadfast in our mission to find enduring solutions that enable our partners to continue their critical work processes without disruption.
