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Why Use WCA?

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We here at Water Consultants of America have been working for years to bring you the best water system maintenance solutions out there. So, why should you choose to work with WCA? Here are some of the advantages to being one of our customers.

1. Drumless Chemical Storage and Hands-Free Delivery: We are all about keeping you and your business safe. By eliminating the chemical drums and delivering the chemicals to you, we can reduce the risk of chemical hazards and liability. We handle the chemicals and you just tell us where you need them.

2. Cutting Edge Technology: WCA is committed to finding the newest and best technologies in the water treatment industry. Many manufacturers choose to partner with us because we are known for being on the leading edge of technology. We thoroughly test the new technologies prior to use to ensure everything works correctly. Some examples of the innovations we use are the WCA pump containment system, total wireless feed and control, and the NC3150 chlorine dioxide generation system.

3. WCAReports: The WCAReports system is an electronic reporting system that allows technicians to enter data after each service visit and compile it with your company’s system records. These reports can then be view at any time as well as emailed to you. The program can also be configured to receive reporting data from your system 24/7.

4. Custom Solutions: No two systems or companies are the same. We work with you to create the perfect maintenance plan that will work best with your system. When there is an issue, we work hard to ensure that it is fixed properly and efficiently, rather than giving the cookie-cutter answer.

We want to give you the best service out there. With our dedication to new technology and drive to always be better water technicians, you can count on us. Visit our website to see all of our services.

Acid Rain

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Spring rains may be bringing more than May flowers this season. You may want to watch out during those refreshing showers and be cautious of falling acid rain. Acid rain is caused by the emission of gases into the atmosphere that have both natural man-made sources. Natural sources include gases released during plant decomposition or volcanic eruptions, while unnatural sources include burning coal and vehicle exhaust. Acid rain is identified as precipitation that contains higher levels of acid than the normal rain water, which usually stands at a pH level of 5.3. While pure water sits at a neutral 7, rainwater is naturally slightly more acidic due to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Acid rain can be harmful to both the natural and man-made environment. The acidity can can disrupt the natural growth and composition of plants and soils, leaving them susceptible to pests and disease. Acid rain can also promote corrosion of buildings and machinery that can quickly cause serious damage. Water treatment is important to remove the destructive acid from harming individuals and equipment.

Learn more about your water treatment options on our products page.

 

 

Bioaugmentation: Your Non-Hazardous Wastewater Treatment Option

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With it’s non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-hazardous, and non-pathogenic benefits, Bioaugmentation has become a leading process for wastewater treatment. Bioaugmentation is a method in which naturally occurring micoorganisms are used to treat organic wastes and polluntants. Specific microorganisms are selected to quickly and efficiently degrade organic wastes. Used to degrade fats, oils, grease, starch proteins, cellulose, and industrial wastes improves plant efficiency and reduces costs associated with plant expansion and equipment solutions.

 

It is always important to understand which wastewater treatment will best suit the needs of your facility, and with the additional benefit of bioaugmentation reducing sludge volume, which in turn reduces dewatering and off-site dumping cost, bioaugmentation is an option you will not want to pass up. Click here to find out more options for you wastewater treatment plan.

Drumless Chemical Storage: Your Eco-Friendly Option

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One of the biggest nightmares in the water industry is the possibility of a chemical spill that would be heard around the world. Here at Water Consultants of America, we are dedicated to ensuring the safety of our clients, as well as seeking eco-friendly opportunities. With our drumless chemical storage we are able to eliminate hazardous chemical storage and make a chemical spill a distant nightmare that no longer merits your concern.

 

There is no longer a need for chemical handling and containment, and without the mess of disposing of chemical drums, you will eliminate the associated costs of doing so as well. Drumless chemical storage has an indefinite shelf life under proper storage conditions and reduces space requirements, helping you to utilize all the space you have for other items of importance. So why don’t you opt for a non-chemical and eco-friendly solution that will save you time, money, and worry? Click here to find out more about our drumless chemical storage option.

What Causes Corrosion And How Can We Help?

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Have you ever wondered what is causing the corrosion of your water pipes? You might be surprised to realize that many different elements cause corrosion, which demands different types of treatment to combat. Corroding of water pipes is an eventuality that must be faced, but understanding the causes of the process and the techniques used to reduce the rate of corrosion will result in an efficiently functioning water system that produces the highest quality of water.

Some of the well-known causes of corrosion stem from alkalinity (a solution used to dissolve acid) and an imbalance in the hardness of the water. Oxidizing agents can also speed up corrosion by forming certain acids and metal oxides that wear down the durability of water pipes.

Other factors include atmospheric impressions, extreme temperatures of the water, and bacteria that finds its way into the pipes.

Our inventory of raw materials includes a vast array of high performance threshold inhibitors, dispersants, and corrosion inhibitors which can be formulated to control almost any expected deposit or corrosion problem. Look here to find out more information about the products that can help reduce the rate of corrosion in your water treatment system.

Cooling Water Treatment

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Cooling water is the process of removing heat from temperature sensitive equipment, thereby keeping it from malfunctioning or failing. Cooling water is the preferred method of cooling for many companies due to water’s inexpensive, nontoxic, and reusable nature. However, this cooling method does have a few major drawbacks if the cooling water is left untreated.

Untreated cooling water accelerates corrosion in metal pipes and holding tanks, allows biological growth, and leaves behind deposits from the minerals in the water supply. A system not properly maintained will cause losses in productivity due to equipment failures, health and safety concerns, increased energy consumption (due to buildup of deposits), and higher production costs.

Our cooling water deposit and corrosion control programs make use of the most up-to-date technologies to keep your system operating efficiently. We have expertise in biofilm control to help minimize problems caused by microorganisms, including fouling, deposits, corrosion, and disease (i.e. Legionellosis).

To limit deposit and corrosion problems, we offer a complete line of speciality cooling water treatment products. We have a vast array of high performance threshold inhibitors, dispersants, and corrosion inhibitors which we can customize to fit your specific needs. Since we can custom blend products, we can also create products for any unique conditions you business might be facing.

Contact us today at 800-645-1350 or visit our website so we can discuss your needs and begin implementing your cooling water treatment plan.

Reuse of Fracking Wastewater

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If you’ve lived in Texas for any length of time, you know that fracking is huge in the Lonestar State. Fracking is the process of collecting natural gas from underground shale formations. It uses a lot of water, both during the drilling process and afterwards, when the water is pumped out of the well.

However, the water that is pumped out of the well after use is considered “contaminated” and needs to be disposed of. (For more in-depth information on how it works, check out our blog post from August.) Therefore, a huge opportunity exists for the reuse of the wastewater that is produced as a result of fracking.

So, why is water reuse so important in the fracking industry? Most fracking occurs in areas that see consistently high levels of drought conditions (especially here in Texas) and see perpetual water shortages. The ability to keep using – and reusing – the same amount of water for fracking operations allows fracking operators to minimize both the use – and cost – of freshwater resources as well as to avoid problems with local wastewater disposal and the cost of wastewater trucking. However, think not only of the financial benefits – the reuse of water in the fracking process also has environmental benefits in that it reduces the overall use of water, allowing for more water to remain in the environment and be used for direct human consumption.

With the advent of new technology and the emergence of new capabilities, the reuse of fracking wastewater presents a very unique environmental opportunity for fracking operators.

At Water Consultants of America, we work with you to recommend water treatment sciences and technologies that best suit your institution. For more information about what we do and how we do it, contact us at (800)645-1350, or use our contact form.

A New Threat: Zebra Mussels

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Zebra mussels have been making their way through the United States and now threaten to take over Texas waterways. Federal regulation aimed at preventing their progression has proven mostly ineffective, and they are wreaking havoc in the aquatic ecosystems they enter. So far, zebra mussels are confirmed in Lake Texoma, Lake Ray Roberts, Lake Bridgeport, Lewisville Lake, and most recently Lake Belton. The are suspected at Lake Worth and Eagle Mountain Lake, resulting in officials keeping a close eye on both lakes.

Known for the striped zebra pattern on its shell and high reproduction rate (a single female can produce over 1 million eggs per year), it does not take long for the mussel to create a noticeable impact on both the natural and manmade aspects of our waterways. Since these freshwater mussels are originally from Russia, there are no natural predators here to limit their numbers. Zebra mussels cause alarming declines in fish and aquatic plants by over-absorbing the essential food source, phytoplankton.

As larvae, zebra mussels drift aimlessly through the water until they find a hard surface to adhere; natural or manmade. Once adhered to a surface, a zebra mussel is permanently secured and will continue to grow until it reaches about two inches in length. They are known to clog water intake systems of municipal water supplies, pipelines, and power plant cooling infrastructures, costing millions of dollars to repair or replace.

Occasionally this invasive species uses rivers and lakes to reach other bodies of water, but the most common way they travel is by hitch-hiking on watercraft. Three simple steps will ensure your watercraft is free from zebra mussels and safe to take into any body of water.

1. Clean.
Remove all foreign objects and wash your watercraft thoroughly as soon as it is out of the loading area. Be sure not to miss crevices or other hidden areas. If your watercraft has been in infested waters for an extended period of time, it is a good idea to have it professionally cleaned with high-pressure scalding hot water before transporting to another body of water.

2. Drain.
Eliminate all water before leaving the area. Don’t forget the wells, ballast, and engine cooling water.

3. Dry.
Allow time for your watercraft to completely dry before launching in other waters.

Just as you work hard to keep your recreational equipment safe for use, we work hard to keep drinking water safe for consumption. Contact us to find out how we can help you with your water treatment needs.

Certified Water Technologists

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Not all water treatment professionals are the same. Some have gone above and beyond the normal call of duty to achieve the Certified Water Technologist (CWT) designation. The CWT program is the highest professional credential in the residential and industrial water treatment field. Upon completing the the training, the water treatment professional possess a core body of knowledge and extensive professional experience in all aspects of water treatment. If you see this designation after a water treatment professionals name, be assured they have achieved a high level of experience, knowledge, and education in the industry.

To gain the CWT designation, an individual must:

-Have 5 years of experience as a water treatment representative or technician.
-Subject themselves to peer review through the CWT application process.
-Pass a rigorous, 200 question, proctored CWT exam from the Association of Water Technologies with a score of 60% or better. This exam covers all parts of water treatment technology; from best practices to regulatory compliance and safety.
-Sign a 13-part Declaration of Ethics demanding honesty, integrity, and commitment to water conservation of resources and excellence.

The CWT designation must be re-certified every 5 years. A designee must show they have demonstrated professional, credible, and trustworthy behavior and that all duties were performed with integrity. The designee must have also promoted cutting-edge technologies along with collaboration and networking with peers.

The vast majority of our representatives have achieved the Certified Water Technician status. If you would like more information about how our CWTs can provide you with high quality service, please contact us.

Texas Water: What You Didn’t Know.

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With the ongoing drought in Texas showing no sign of relief, water has become a hot topic. From the government to the news, there is a constant flow of information on water usage restrictions, towns going dry, and weather systems that are impacting the drought. We decided to look into the matter a little further, and found a few facts about Texas water you probably do not know.

1. On September 3, 2013, Governor Rick Perry swore in the first full-time Texas Water Development Board. This board, made up of three members, was created in response to criticism that the volunteer panel was working too slow and needed to be replaced. If approved by voters, this board will oversee the $2 billion state water fund that was proposed to fund projects for the next 50 years.

2. Water supplies are so low in some cities, people are drinking their own treated wastewater. Treated wastewater is safe to drink, but holds a certain “ick” factor. Most of Texas has not adopted this approach but if water supplies keep dwindling at their current rate, this will become the norm. Many other states like California and Florida have already adopted treating wastewater to help conserve their water supplies. The water has proven time and time again to be as clean as regular treated water.

3. You may be left wondering where is our water going? About 60% of the Texas water supply goes to agriculture. The next biggest user is energy, with approximately 5% going to coal power and fracking and 2.5% to cooling thermometric plants.

4. There is an additional water source underground that could supply the state for an estimated 176 years, but at the moment it is too salty to drink. Desalination is a process of removing salt and other minerals from saline water. It can cost up to four times that of other water treatments, and even more for actual seawater desalination. But with the state of our water supply, this treatment has become necessary. Our first permanent seawater desalination plant will open on South Padre Island in 2014. Several dozen small desalination plants already operate in West Texas and El Paso, desalinating water from the groundwater supply.

Regardless of how we get our water, water conservation is something we must all adopt to protect our future water supply. We can help you with your water conservation and water treatment needs. Contact us for more information.