The discovery that silver activates oxygen in water to destroy bacteria and viruses instantly opens a new chapter in the use of silver for water purification.
Spearheaded by Fountainhead Technologies of Pawtucket, R.I., the new silver system, which requires only silver on an inert surface and oxygen, is proving to be a breakthrough in the purification of swimming pool water. Ongoing studies also reveal its potential for the purification of water used for drinking, agriculture, food processing and hospital use, as well as providing ultra-pure water for chemical processes and wastewater treatment. Silver is now widely used in conjunction with copper and small amounts of chlorine in purifying swimming pool water. The silver and copper are brought into solution by imposing a low electrical current on solid silver and copper electrodes sufficient to dissolve the two metals into the water. This combination has proved to be a powerful means of making swimming pool water sanitary and avoiding the objectionable effects of large amounts of chlorine. However, in this process, the silver ions in solution take much longer to quell the bacteria in the water. The discovery by Fountainhead means that silver alone can be used as a catalyst; the additional presence of copper or other metals is not required. Tests have demonstrated an instantaneous 99% kill-rate for bacteria with complete removal of E. coli (fecal pollutant) within a 2-2.5-second contact time.
— From a recent publication of The Silver Institute, based in Washington, D.C.
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