S.No.
Cu-Ag Ionisation Chlorine Dioxide
1. How it works:
Electrically charged copper ions (Cu2+) in the water search for
particles of opposite polarity, such as bacteria, viruses and
fungi. Positively charged copper ions form electrostatic
compounds with negatively charged cell walls of
microorganisms. These compounds disturb cell wall permeability
and cause nutrient uptake to fail. Copper ions penetrate the cell
wall and as a result they will create an entrance for silver ions
(Ag+). These penetrate the core of the microorganism. Silver
ions bond to various parts of the cell, such as the DNA and
RNA, cellular proteins and respiratory enzymes, causing all life
support systems in the cell to be immobilized. As a result, there
is no more cellular growth or cell division, causing bacteria to no
longer multiply and eventually die out.
2. Copper silver ionization does not eradiate the bacteria, but
prevent from growing. Therefore one would not see a large
change in bacterial counts within the results.
3. For the effective killing of bacteria, sufficient amount of copper
silver ion concentration to be maintained in the water
throughout. A synergy of 0.4ppm copper and 0.04ppm silver
found to be effective in controlling the bacterial growth. The
required concentration is determined by the water flow, the
volume of water in the system, the conductivity and pH of the
water and the present concentration of microorganisms.
How it works:
Substances of organic nature in bacterial cells react with
chlorine dioxide, causing several cellular processes to be
interrupted. Chlorine dioxide reacts directly with amino acids and
the RNA in the cell The production of proteins is prevented.
Chlorine dioxide affects the cell membrane by changing
membrane proteins and fats and by prevention of inhalation.
When bacteria are eliminated, the cell wall is penetrated by
chlorine dioxide. Viruses are eliminated in a different way;
chlorine dioxide reacts with peptone, a water-soluble substance
that originates from hydrolysis of proteins to amino acids.
Chlorine dioxide kills viruses by prevention of protein formation.
Chlorine dioxide is more effective against viruses than chlorine
or ozone.
Chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant has the advantage that it
directly reacts with the cell wall of microorganisms. This reaction
is not dependent on reaction time or concentration. In contrast to
non-oxidizing disinfectants, chlorine dioxide kills microorganisms
even when they are inactive. Therefore the chlorine dioxide
concentration needed to effectively kill microorganisms is lower
than non-oxidizing disinfectant concentrations. Microorganisms
cannot build up any resistance against chlorine dioxide. Hence,
a clear reduction in bacterial count is visible.
It is also active against the formation of bio film in the distribution
network. Bio film is usually hard to defeat. It forms a protective
layer over pathogenic microorganisms. Most disinfectants
cannot reach those protected pathogens. However, chlorine
dioxide removes bio films and kills pathogenic microorganisms.
Chlorine dioxide also prevents bio film formation, because it
remains active in the system for a long time.
Low concentration of Chlorine dioxide concentration is sufficient
to kill majority of microorganisms in the water. Since, it active
over a wide pH range (5.5 – 9.0) and does not depend on water
quality, it is suitable for different water quality and systems.
4. The electrodes are an alloy of silver (10- 30%) and Copper (90- No electrodes. Chemical reaction between Sodium Chlorite and
70%). the electrodes should be in good condition. When the dilute hydrochloric acid produces chlorine dioxide. In the last few
water is hard or fouling takes place as a consequence of water years better and safer methods for chlorine dioxide production
hardness and quality, there will be a decrease in electrode have been developed.
release and the additional effect will decrease.
By using pure silver and pure copper, the supply of copper and
silver ions can be regulated separately. These electrodes suffer
from less limestone formation and fouling.
5. the affectivity of copper-silver ionization depends on the pH Not affected by the water pH, as it is effective over a pH range
value of the water. When pH values are high, copper ions are of 5.5 to 9.0 which is well within the potable water pH range of
less effective. 6.5 to 8.5.
When the pH value exceeds 6, insoluble copper complexes will
precipitate.
When the pH value is 5, copper ions mainly exist as Cu(HCO3)+;
when the pH value is 7 as Cu(CO3) and
when the pH values is 9 as Cu(CO3)22-.
At a pH value of 9, only one tenth of all Legionella bacteria are
removed.
High Ph in water may compromise the efficacy of copper ions
6. Copper-silver ionization affectivity is determined by the presence Not affected by Chlorine or dissolved ions in the water.
of chlorine. Chlorine causes silverchlorine complex formation.
When this occurs, silver ions are no longer available for
disinfection.
When dissolved solid concentrations are high, silver will
precipitate. This means silver ions are no longer available for
disinfection. Silver ions easily react with chlorines and nitrates
that are present in the water, causing them to no longer be
effective. The solubility of CU decreases at higher PH(8.5
plus).The increase in chloride ion conc; from 15 to 50 ppm may
reduce the availability of positively charged silver ions from 56 to
26% of the total silver ion conc.

Conclusion; the bio -cidal efficacy of silver may be compromised

by the high conc; of chloride.

7. Some species of microorganisms can become resistant to silver Chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant has the advantage that it
ions. They can remove metal from their systems or convert it to directly reacts with the cell wall of microorganisms. This reaction
a less toxic product. These microorganisms can become is not dependent on reaction time or concentration. In contrast to
resistant to copper-silver ionization. non-oxidizing disinfectants, chlorine dioxide kills microorganisms
 Although it is suggested that Legionella bacteria can develop
resistance to copper-silver ionization, this disinfectant still
appears to be effective for Legionella deactivation.
8. To affectively kill pathogenic microorganisms, copper and silver
ions should be present in the entire water system. When the
system is used little and the water flow is quite slow, or when
there are dead-end points in the system, this can causes
problems for disinfection.
9. Comparison of Chlorination and Copper-Silver Ionization for
Legionella Control in a French University Hospital Hot Water
Distribution System
Continuous disinfection of hot water distribution systems
achieved a significant reduction in Legionella contamination with
a higher efficacy of chlorination as compared to silver-copper
ionization in our hospital.
10. The application of ionisation will need to be properly assessed,
designed and maintained as part of an overall water treatment
programme. The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations and
Private Supply Regulations prescribe a maximum value for the
level of copper and silver ions in drinking water supplies. It is
important that installers of ionisation systems are aware of the
need to avoid any breach of these Regulations and maintain
copper and silver levels below the maximum allowable
even when they are inactive. Therefore the chlorine dioxide
concentration needed to effectively kill microorganisms is lower
than non-oxidizing disinfectant concentrations. Microorganisms
cannot build up any resistance against chlorine dioxide.
For the pre- oxidation and reduction of organic substances
between 0,5 and 2 mg/L of chlorine dioxide is required at a
contact time between 15 and 30 minutes. Water quality
determines the required contact time. For post- disinfection,
concentrations between 0,2 and 0,4 mg/L are applied. The
residual byproduct concentration of chlorite is very low and there
are no risks for human health. At the concentrations required for
disinfection, chlorine dioxide is not corrosive.
It is more effective as a disinfectant than chlorine in most
circumstances against water borne pathogenic microbes such
as viruses, bacteria and protozoa – including the cysts of
Giardia and the cysts of Cryptosporidium.
The use of chlorine dioxide in water treatment leads to the
formation of the by-product chlorite which is currently limited to a
maximum of 1 ppm in drinking water in the USA. This EPA
standard limits the use of chlorine dioxide in the USA to
relatively high quality water or water which is to be treated with
iron based coagulants (Iron can reduce chlorite to chloride)
It can also be used for air disinfection, and was the principal
agent used in the decontamination of buildings in the United
States after the 2001 anthrax attacks. After the disaster of
Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana and the
surrounding Gulf Coast, chlorine dioxide has been used to
eradicate dangerous mold from houses inundated by water from
massive flooding.
Chlorine dioxide is less corrosive than chlorine and superior for
the control of Legionella bacteria. Chlorine dioxide is far superior
to copper-silver ionization for Legionella control because unlike
copper-silver ionization, chlorine dioxide is:
1. EPA approved biocide.
2. Not negatively impacted by pH
3. Does not lose efficacy over time because the bacteria grow
 concentration. The local water company may need to be resistant to the biocide and
consulted to check that the installation complies with the 4. Not negatively impacted by silica and phosphate which are
requirements of the Water Regulations commonly used potable water corrosion inhibitors.

Some unscrupulous biocide manufacturers will state that their

product is EPA registered as a biocide. All EPA registered
biocides must have a product label that is supplied with the
product. If a biocide such as copper-silver is sold without an
EPA approved biocide label that is because the product is not
registered as an EPA approved biocide.

11. It should be noted that in hard water systems, silver ion Not affected by water hardness and chloride.
concentrations can be difficult to maintain due to build-up of
scale on the electrodes, and the high concentration of dissolved
solids precipitating the silver ions out of solution. For both hard
and soft water, the ionisation process is pH sensitive and it is
difficult to maintain silver ion concentrations above pH 7.6. The
build-up of scale and concentration of dissolved solids therefore
needs to be carefully controlled so that suitable ion levels are
consistently maintained throughout the system. This may need
extra water treatments.
12. For most systems, routine inspection and maintenance will Easy to monitor. On line chlorine dioxide monitors are available
usually be sufficient to ensure control if the following parameters for the accurate measurement and control.
are also monitored at regular intervals and remedial action taken Less maintenance is required for chlorine dioxide units when
when necessary, with details of all actions being recorded: compared to Copper silver ionization.
(a) The rate of release of copper and silver ions into the water
supply;
(b) The silver ion concentrations at sentinel outlets should be
checked monthly - this should be at least 20μg/l at outlets;
(c) The measurement of silver ion concentrations at
representative taps selected on a rotational basis once each
year - this should be at least 20μg/l at outlets;
(d) The condition and cleanliness of the electrodes; and
(e) The pH of the water supply.