Disinfection of drinking water with the active substance chlorine dioxide

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Applications of biostream® ZERO

One active substance, countless applications: chlorine dioxide reliably disinfects drinking water wherever safety matters. Effective against Legionella, E. coli, Pseudomonas and persistent biofilms.

Whether municipal supply network, private well, dental practice, dispensing system or yacht: biostream® ZERO can be used flexibly and without costly plant technology. The following scenarios show where the active substance used by waterworks makes the decisive difference in everyday life.

Where biostream® ZERO is used

From extensive supply networks to the 10 ml bottle in travel luggage: the active substance chlorine dioxide adapts to a wide range of requirements. An overview of the main application areas.

Public drinking water supply

In municipal supply systems, biostream® ZERO supplements the classic methods (filtration, chlorination, ozonation, UV) with targeted disinfection, for example in remote sections of the network or during periods of increased load. This keeps a reliable residual disinfection throughout the entire distribution network.

Private wells & private water supply

For households with their own well or rainwater system, biostream® ZERO disinfects drinking water hoses and mobile treatment units in a targeted way, especially after flooding or contact with animals. However, it may only be used by certified DVGW specialist companies.

Emergency & disaster situations

After flooding, earthquakes or storms, biostream® ZERO quickly disinfects drinking water hoses, mobile treatment units and emergency installations. This maintains a high standard of water hygiene even in makeshift emergency shelters, a decisive contribution to preventing epidemics.

Healthcare, hospitals & dental practices

For immunocompromised patients, every germ counts. Through the regular, automated disinfection of treatment units and water pipes, biostream® ZERO reduces the risk of nosocomial infections and forms an additional barrier against contamination in hospitals.

Food & beverage industry

Here, water is both an ingredient and a cleaning agent. biostream® ZERO disinfects dispensing systems in bars, restaurants and retail, as well as pipes and hoses, for consistently high hygiene and to avoid product recalls caused by microbial contamination.

Travel, camping & outdoor

Water quality varies greatly when travelling. Developed specifically for mobile use, biostream® ZERO disinfects drinking water hoses for camping or yachting simply and without great technical effort, for hygienically flawless water everywhere.

Ships & aircraft

Biofilms form easily in closed water systems. As an additional safety measure, biostream® ZERO disinfects drinking water hoses and components, from the tanks to the dispensing points on cruise ships and in aircraft, even on long journeys.

Space travel

Astronauts rely on water that has been recycled multiple times; a germ outbreak in the closed system would be catastrophic. The know-how behind biostream® ZERO shows potential to make water treatment in space, on space stations and during long-duration missions even safer in future. Hello, NASA!

Applications in detail

For these areas, we have put together dedicated application pages with photos, efficacy profile and dosing:

Disinfecting dispensing systems and water dispensers with biostream® ZERO Dispensing systems & water dispensers Disinfecting drinking water hoses to KTW and DVGW W270 Drinking water hoses (KTW W270) Disinfecting treatment units and dental units at the dentist Treatment units at the dentist Disinfecting drinking water tanks in motorhomes, caravans and yachts Cleaning the water tank: motorhome, caravan, yacht & boat Disinfecting soda makers and drinking bottles with biostream® asepticaPRO Soda makers & drinking bottles Disinfecting process and cooling water: cooling circuits and cooling towers Process & cooling water (VDI 2047) Disinfection in the food industry Food industry Disinfection of pool, spa and bathing water Pool, spa & bathing water

biostream® ZERO in figures

Scientifically proven, independently tested and in practical use for over two decades.

Proven efficacy
99.9 %

In 1,620 individual tests by Leibniz University Hannover against germs typical of drinking water, with a contact time of only 5 minutes.

Ready to use in
3 hrs.

From preparation to a finished, highly effective disinfection solution, without any complex plant technology.

Dosage requirement compared with hydrogen peroxide
25×

lower: 6 instead of 150 mg/l for system disinfection under DVGW code of practice W 291. Evidence

Your advantages

  • Ready to use within just 3 hours
  • Effective across the entire drinking water pH range
  • Suitable for aluminium tanks
  • Suitable for disinfecting drinking water in times of crisis, emergency preparedness for blackouts, power cuts and other disaster situations
  • 25 times lower dosage requirement than hydrogen peroxide (6 instead of 150 mg/l for system disinfection, DVGW code of practice W 291)
  • Highly effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli & coliform bacteria, Legionella (Legionella pneumophila) and Candida auris
  • Free of heavy metals (silver, copper)
  • Oxidative action on cell membrane, proteins and genetic material at the same time, not at a single point of attack

Rules and standards for chlorine dioxide

  • Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV), Section 20: chlorine dioxide is included in the list of permitted treatment substances for disinfection
  • DIN EN 12671: chlorine dioxide generated on site for the treatment of drinking water
  • DVGW W 224: methods for the disinfection of drinking water with chlorine dioxide
  • DVGW W 291 and W 551-3: chlorine dioxide as a proven chemical for cleaning and disinfecting installations
  • Guideline No. 5 of the working group of the German coastal states on ship hygiene: chlorine dioxide for drinking water on board
  • DIN 2001-2: drinking water supply from non-stationary installations such as motorhomes and boats

What each rule means ›

Scientifically confirmed efficacy

Independent research and decades of practical experience confirm the performance of biostream® ZERO.

Dr. 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. Dr. rer. nat. Hans-Dieter Werlein is responsible for the field of food hygiene and microbiology.

Biofilm study at the 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 (legionellosis).

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.

Hydrogen peroxide and silver are not an alternative

biostream® ZERO (ZERO and asepticaPRO) complies with DIN 2001-2:2009-04 and is effective across the entire drinking water pH range. According to the German Environment Agency, hydrogen peroxide and silver-based agents are not disinfectants at all.

Hydrogen peroxide is not named as a disinfectant in the DIN standard. In the current UBA list of the German Environment Agency, too, it is listed exclusively as an oxidising agent. Under DVGW code of practice W291, it would need to be dosed 25 times more strongly to achieve the same effect. Silver, too, is listed only as a preservative, not as a disinfectant.

Did you know? According to the UBA list (annex to the Drinking Water Ordinance), hydrogen peroxide is listed only for the purpose "oxidising agent" and explicitly not as a "disinfectant".

Criterion biostream® ZERO
(chlorine dioxide)		 Hydrogen peroxide Silver
Listed as a disinfectant (DIN 2001-2 / UBA) Yes No, oxidising agent only No, preservation only
Effective across the entire drinking water pH range Yes limited not applicable
Dosage requirement for the same efficacy 1× 25× (DVGW W291) not applicable
Effect in biofilms & against Legionella strong weak weak
Free of heavy metals Yes Yes No, contains silver

Check the label of your current product: if you find hydrogen peroxide listed as the active substance, then according to the German Environment Agency you are using not a disinfectant but an oxidising agent. On silver, the DIN standard notes: "Only in the exceptional case of storing drinking water without consumption over a longer period. Preservation does not replace a necessary disinfection of drinking water that is not in perfect condition."

biostream® ZERO, TRAVEL and asepticaPRO in various container sizes

From small containers to tanker trucks: the choice is yours

With the biostream® concentrates based on chlorine dioxide, you reliably disinfect drinking water tanks, water-carrying pipes and soda maker bottles, with the active substance used by waterworks, without costly plant technology.

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

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Information sheets for download

We have prepared compact information sheets in PDF format so that you can fight germs and bacteria in drinking water effectively and easily. Take your pick!

biostream® products against biofilms

Find out how to effectively combat biofilms and take on Legionella, E. coli, Pseudomonas and other waterborne germs, for flawless quality drinking and process water.

Download biofilm information sheet (German)

Drinking water basics

In just 5 pages, we explain which products are approved for disinfecting drinking water and why silver-based products now have to be labelled as pesticides in the USA.

Download information sheet (German)

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

Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use.

All statements on efficacy are based on biostream® GmbH's many years of experience and on information from technical literature, legislation, regulations and positive customer references.