{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"489 Copper-Silver Ionization Technology and Legionella Control with Tory Schira","description":"Copper-silver ionization offers building operators a persistent approach to Legionella control\u2014one designed to carry an active disinfectant residual throughout complex plumbing infrastructure. LiquiTech CEO Tory Schira explains how the technology works, what operating data matters, and why successful implementation requires more than installing equipment.    How Copper-Silver Ionization Works  Copper and silver ions are introduced through a flow chamber containing sacrificial electrodes. A controlled electrical charge releases the positively charged ions into the water, allowing them to travel through the plumbing system and reach areas where biofilm and Legionella may grow.  Tory describes the ions as independently biocidal but more effective when working together. Copper weakens the bacterial cell wall, while silver gains greater access to the cell and disrupts the bacteria. Unlike traditional oxidants that can decay with time and temperature, copper and silver ions remain persistent across hot and cold building water systems.    Designing, Monitoring, and Controlling the System  Proper design begins with engineering data. The deployment team evaluates whether treatment should be installed on the hot-water recirculation loop or at the building\u2019s cold-water point of entry. Peak demand, water consumption, conductivity, and pH also influence system sizing and operation.  Tory outlines target ranges of 0.1\u20130.8 ppm copper and approximately 30\u201380 ppb silver. Real-time monitoring tracks ion introduction, while samples collected from distal locations help verify distribution. Those samples are analyzed by an independent laboratory using ICP-MS testing under EPA Method 200.8.    Water Management Plans Must Match the Control Method  Changing a building\u2019s disinfection method should trigger a review of its water management plan. Tory cautions that many plans remain too generic and fail to define method-specific target ranges, corrective actions, and root-cause analysis procedures.  The conversation also examines lessons from pandemic-era building stagnation. LiquiTech used connected-system data to identify low-flow areas and guide more targeted flushing, demonstrating how water-use visibility can strengthen operational decisions.  Persistent Legionella positivity should not automatically be accepted as control. Water professionals must define success clearly, verify distribution, and align technology, monitoring, and corrective actions with the desired water-safety outcome.  Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps  02:30 \u2014 Trace Blackmore opens the second week of Legionella Awareness Month and explains why copper-silver ionization must operate within a broader water management plan.  04:20 \u2014 Trace highlights the Legionella Resources page, including materials from the CDC, World Health Organization, and previous podcast guests.  07:30 \u2014 Trace explains how episode discussion guides help teams turn podcast insights into practical workplace conversations and action items.  09:00 \u2014 Words of Water with James   10:50 \u2014 Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals include the WaterPro Conference, the ASPE Convention and Expo, and Industrial Water Week.  13:30 \u2014 Trace begins his interview with Tory Schira, CEO of LiquiTech, about copper-silver ionization technology and Legionella control.  14:20 \u2014 Tory traces LiquiTech\u2019s history and explains how copper-silver ionization was adapted for building water systems.  15:10 \u2014 Tory explains why the persistence of copper and silver ions supports their distribution through complex plumbing systems.  16:00 \u2014 A flow chamber containing sacrificial electrodes releases copper and silver ions into the water to provide systemic disinfection.  17:20 \u2014 System design begins by choosing between hot-water recirculation treatment and cold-water point-of-entry treatment.  18:10 \u2014 Tory describes how positively charged copper and silver ions work together against bacterial cells.  19:30 \u2014 Tory explains LiquiTech\u2019s focus on using copper-silver ionization to control Legionella in potable water systems.  21:30 \u2014 Real-time monitoring and distal-site sampling help verify ion output and distribution throughout a building.  22:30 \u2014 Tory identifies the target copper and silver concentrations used to guide system performance.  24:10 \u2014 Copper-silver ionization is compared with oxidizing disinfectants that can decay over time and at elevated temperatures.  26:10 \u2014 Tory discusses deployment data from Legionella-positive environments, including facilities that previously tried other control methods.  28:40 \u2014 Changing a disinfection method should trigger a refresh of the facility\u2019s water management plan.  30:20 \u2014 Tory explains why generic water management plans may lack the treatment-specific corrective actions needed for stronger performance.  31:10 \u2014 Pandemic-era data revealed building stagnation patterns and helped teams identify locations that needed targeted flushing.  33:00 \u2014 Future monitoring capabilities may improve visibility into water age, stagnation, temperature, sediment, and other Legionella risk factors.  34:10 \u2014 Tory challenges water professionals to define what successful Legionella control means rather than accepting persistent positivity.  35:20 \u2014 Compact, custom-designed systems may provide an option for facilities with limited mechanical-room space.  36:00 \u2014 Tory shares partnership opportunities for water treatment companies that value integrity and higher performance standards.  37:40 \u2014 Trace summarizes the interview\u2019s central lessons: persistence matters, every building is different, and proper system design is essential.  38:50 \u2014 Trace reminds listeners to consult their water management plan and program team before adding or modifying a disinfection technology.    Connect with Tory Schira  Phone: 630-693-0500  Email: tory@liquitech.com  Website: https:\/\/liquitech.com\/  LinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/tory-schira-9530a19\/     Guest Resources Mentioned   LiquiTech \u2014 Copper-silver ionization and building water safety solutions LiquiTech Copper-Silver Ionization System \u2014 Technology for controlling Legionella in building water systems EPA Method 200.8 \u2014 Determination of trace elements in water using ICP-MS  EPA Lead and Copper Rule \u2014 Official information concerning the 1.3 mg\/L copper action level  EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations \u2014 Federal drinking-water standards and treatment requirements  NASA: Water Treatment Systems Make a Big Splash \u2014 Background on Apollo-era copper and silver ionization technology  NASA: Nine Ways NASA Is Solving Water Problems Around the Globe \u2014 Overview of NASA\u2019s early use of silver-ion water purification  NASA: Water Management System and an Electrolytic Cell \u2014 Historical technical document about silver-ion water sterilization  The following studies support the technical discussion but were not identified by title during the episode.  Examining the Efficacy of Copper-Silver Ionization for Management of Legionella in Building Water Systems  Experiences of the First 16 Hospitals Using Copper-Silver Ionization for Legionella Control  Intermittent Use of Copper-Silver Ionization for Legionella Control  Controlling Legionella in Hospital Drinking Water: An Evidence-Based Review of Disinfection Methods  Disinfection of Water Distribution Systems for Legionella  Controlling Legionella Using Copper-Silver Ionization  Maintaining Legionella Control in Building Water Systems  Controlling Legionella pneumophila at Reduced Hot-Water Temperatures    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  The Rising Tide Mastermind    Water You Know with James McDonald Today's definition is the flaky oxide layer that forms on the surfaces of iron and steel when they are heated and cooled during hot fabrication.  Do you know the word or phrase?     2026 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we\u2019ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.    This episode made possible through our valued partners at:    ","author_name":"Scaling UP! H2O","author_url":"http:\/\/scalinguph2o.com","html":"