Disinfection of drinking water with the active substance chlorine dioxide

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Drinking water disinfection · Active substance chlorine dioxide (ClO₂)since 2001 · listed under Section 20 TrinkwV · DIN 2001-2

Cleaning & disinfection of drinking water with chlorine dioxide

Against Legionella, E. coli, Pseudomonas and persistent biofilms in drinking water: 99.9 % germ reduction in 5 minutes, proven in 1,620 individual tests at Leibniz University Hannover.

We have the right disinfectant for your application: for dispensing systems, water carbonators and post-mix systems, for the dental practice, for motorhomes, boats and ships, and for table water systems in businesses.

Choose your application Shop (German) ↗

Efficacy at 5 min. contact time99.9 %
Individual tests, Leibniz University Hannover1,620
Lower dosage requirement than hydrogen peroxide (DVGW W 291)25×
Effective drinking water pH rangeentire
Maximum addition under Section 20 TrinkwV (UBA list)0.4 mg/l

Sources: Leibniz University Hannover, DVGW W 291, Bavarian State Office for Water Management, German Environment Agency (UBA). Evidence in detail

What would you like to disinfect?

Choose your application. Each page shows step by step how to proceed, which rules apply and how to calculate the right quantity.

Motorhome and yacht: cleaning and disinfecting the water tank. For campers and skippers Water tank in motorhome, caravan or boat Dispensing system and water dispenser: fighting germs in beer lines and taps. For catering and bars Dispensing system, beer line and water dispenser Treatment unit in the dental practice: keeping the water lines free of germs. For dental practices Water lines of the treatment unit Bacterial smear on an agar plate: detecting Legionella in the drinking water installation. For landlords and property managers Legionella in the drinking water installation Cleaning and disinfecting a drinking water hose. For event organisers and construction sites Drinking water hose for festivals, markets and construction sites Disinfecting process and cooling water, cooling circuits and cooling towers. For industrial companies Process and cooling water Disinfecting water in food production. For food businesses Water in food production Whirlpool and pool: disinfecting bathing water. For pool and spa operators Pool, whirlpool and bathing water

All methods, regulations and selection criteria at a glance: Drinking water disinfection

How to use biostream® ZERO

Four steps that are the same for tanks, pipes, hoses and dispensing systems. Quantities and contact times are given in the dosing instructions.

  1. Prepare

    biostream® ZERO is supplied as a two-component system. Once combined, the solution is ready for use in around 3 hours, without complex plant technology.

  2. Calculate the quantity

    The basis is the total volume of water in the tank, pipes and boiler. The dosing calculator gives the required quantity of concentrate for the condition of your system.

  3. Allow to act

    Fill the tank to about 75 %, add the concentrate, top up and open the outlets until the solution arrives. Close the taps and wait for the contact time of the selected level.

  4. Drain and flush

    Drain the tank and pipes completely and refill with drinking water. How often this is necessary is stated in the dosing instructions and on your application page.

Calculate the quantity View biostream® ZERO

How does disinfecting drinking water with chlorine dioxide work?

Chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) is a strong oxidising agent: it destroys the cell components of bacteria, viruses and fungi and also penetrates the biofilm in which germs such as Legionella settle. This very active substance has been used in waterworks for drinking water disinfection for decades. With the biostream® concentrates you can use it without complex plant technology.

biostream® GmbH from Sehnde near Hannover has been developing and selling chlorine dioxide-based disinfectants for drinking water since 2001. biostream® ZERO disinfects water tanks, pipes, hoses, dispensing systems and dental units; 1,620 individual tests at Leibniz University Hannover prove 99.9 % efficacy at a contact time of 5 minutes.

Chlorine dioxide is included in the list of permitted treatment substances for disinfection under Section 20 of the German Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV). The products comply with DIN 2001-2 for drinking water supply from small and non-stationary installations.

What does the disinfection work against?

Against the typical germs in drinking and process water: Legionella in drinking water (Legionella pneumophila), E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and against the biofilms in which these germs survive. How the active substance works in detail and why it differs from chlorine is explained in our basics of chlorine dioxide.

Scientifically confirmed efficacy

Dr. rer. nat. H.-D. Werlein, Leibniz University HannoverDr. rer. nat. H.-D. Werlein
Leibniz University Hannover

Leibniz University Hannover confirms efficacy

A study commissioned by biostream® GmbH at the Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition of Leibniz University Hannover (led by Dr. rer. nat. H.-D. Werlein) confirms in 1,620 individual tests an efficacy of 99.9 % of biostream® ZERO against germs occurring in drinking water, at contact times of only 5 minutes.

biostream® products have been used successfully since 2001 in rail vehicles, on ships, in hospitals and clinics and by well-known beverage manufacturers.

Study, methodology and scope in detail →

Biofilm study at the University of HannoverBiofilm study
University of Hannover

Fighting Legionella and biofilms for good

Legionella (e.g. Legionella pneumophila) are an often underestimated water hygiene problem and the cause of Legionnaires' disease.

They settle in biofilms that hydrogen peroxide-based agents can hardly combat. Chlorine, too, is weaker than the active substance chlorine dioxide. Chlorine dioxide is included in the list of permitted treatment substances under Section 20 of the Drinking Water Ordinance.

More about biofilms & Legionella

From small containers to tanker trucks: the choice is yours

Whether dentist, yacht owner, camper or industrial company: our products come in various container sizes and packaging. We deliver as individually as necessary. biostream® asepticaPRO in small 10 ml vials even fits into your travel luggage.

Chlorine dioxide, the active substance in all biostream® products, is included in the list of permitted treatment substances under Section 20 of the Drinking Water Ordinance; the products comply with Article 95(2) of the Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) No 528/2012.

biostream® ZERO asepticaPRO

Advantages, rules and standards and the comparison with hydrogen peroxide and silver: on the product page · methods compared

biostream® ZERO, TRAVEL and asepticaPRO in various container sizes

Trusted in practice

biostream® products are in use at Deutsche Bahn, Coca-Cola European Partners, the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr), BRITA, Evonik and Berliner Wasserbetriebe, among others. An excerpt from our references:

References of biostream® GmbH (excerpt): Deutsche Bahn, Coca-Cola European Partners, Bundeswehr, BRITA, Evonik, Berliner Wasserbetriebe and others

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)