First operational Silco-sensor to measure heavy metals in bathing water Slovak spa center

After an extensive period of testing in the laboratory of Holland Water Technology (HWT), the Silco-sensor made its operational debut in a Bifipro legionella control system in a Slovak spa center in July. The Silco-sensor was specially developed to measure heavy metals in water. The spa center doses copper and silver ions in HWT's Bifipro water treatment system to remove legionella bacteria.

Continuously monitoring of copper and silver
The amount of copper and silver is continuously monitored by the Silco-sensor. The data is monitored in the Netherlands. When the dosage is too much and the system does not correct itself, the dosage can be adjusted remotely.

European technology project
The Silco-sensor has been developed by Holland Water Technolgoy, in cooperation with Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment and Selor Geoconnect. Trials involving the Universities of Cologne (Germany) and Florence (Italy) section, and SMEs from Greece and Slovakia. The development was part of the European Silco-project that started in the Netherlands in 2009.

Faster and less expensive
The sensor continuously detects copper and silver ions that are dosed in the legionella control system to very low concentrations. The accurate measuring makes common water sampling redundant. The taking and analyzing of water samples takes several days and is far more expensive.

Optimal legionella control
Director Leo de Zeeuw from HWT sees a great future for the system. "With the sensor as a hand held' device, it allows customers to measure the copper and silver levels in drinking water at various outlets," he says. "This can lead to the detection of dead spots with insufficient flow of water into a building. This helps in achieving an optimal legionella control. "

Also sensoring other substances
De Zeeuw Silco calls the development of the system "an excellent example of European cooperation". "Without the subsidy from Brussels, this project off the ground," he says. "The knowledge from Germany and Italy and the Dutch, Greek and Slovak companies then standing together worked, resulting in a beautiful product." The result leaded, according to De Zeeuw, to the development of sensors for other substances like nitrate and nitrogen.

This news item was originally published on the website of Holland Water Technology.

Read more about the Silco-project: www.ist-world.org

More information:
Holland Water Technology,
Leo de Zeeuw
+31 343 475 090 or +31 6 2000 7190