How Engineered Water Fits Into Sanitizing

As stated previously, The EPA has standards for disinfectants/sanitizers, and the EPA registers sanitizing products under the topic of “Pesticides.” Pesticides by nature are toxic to organisms of all sizes, but engineered water may change our view of sanitizing processes.

In some engineered water systems, free oxygen atoms literally attach and burn the outer membrane of microbial life in seconds, depending on the ORP level. High ORP water levels are harmless to humans, but extremely damaging to microbial threats.

Non-Toxic Solutions
The use of aqueous water provides a non-toxic solution that does not add to the “Bioload” of chemical products brought into the building.

The fact is that if there is an accidental spill or drenching exposure to people, the water solution is essentially harmless.

The discharge of the aqueous solution may contain the dirt and contaminants cleaned from the building, but will not be harmful to waterways or troublesome for water treatment facilities.

For those concerned for bacterial immunity to various sanitizers on the market, there is no ability for bacteria and virus to become immune to engineered water applications.

Bacteria are quite capable of developing immunity to a variety of chemicals or building a toleration for adverse conditions. The fact is that bacteria and virus depend on water or oxygen for their existence. So, immunity is not possible.

The EPA requires that disinfectants/sanitizers be applied using a “Dwell Time” factor, meaning a period of time sufficient to destroy bacteria and virus. In most cases, the EPA requires the dwell time listed on the product label, to be 8 to 10 minutes.

Engineered water can kill 99.99 percent of bacteria and virus threats in a much shorter time. The impact happens due to the ORP value. In the same way raising the temperature of water (boiling) will destroy germs or sanitize; raising the ORP level increases the oxidative power of water to destroy pathogens.

Positive Aspects of Engineered Water Systems
1. Less Product to purchase, store, and distribute.
2. Improved health impact on workers and workplace.
3. Less chemical pollution to enter the waterways.
4. Major reduction in container waste going into landfills.


David Thompson is the Director of Education for GEM Supply, responsible for four Learning Centers in Central Florida. He is also the host of a weekly internet broadcast show, “Beyond Clean with Dave”, which focuses on the messages within the professional cleaning industry: healthy, positive and progressive. Dave can be contacted at DThompson@GCICertified.com