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.

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 Modern train at a platform: cleaning and disinfecting the water in trains and Intercity services Water in trains/Intercity Disinfecting soda makers and drinking bottles with biostream® asepticaPRO Soda makers & drinking bottles Disinfecting process water of drinking water quality and drinking water tanks Process water Disinfection in the food industry Food industry Disinfection of pool, spa and bathing water Pool, spa & bathing water

biostream® ZERO in figures

Scientifically studied 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
  • No silver or copper as active substance
  • 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 ›

Efficacy: study and practice

A study commissioned by biostream® GmbH and decades of practical experience demonstrate the performance of biostream® ZERO.

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

Study at Leibniz University Hannover

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. Chlorine dioxide is included in the list of permitted treatment substances under Section 20 of the Drinking Water Ordinance.

Hydrogen peroxide and silver on the list under Section 20 of the Drinking Water Ordinance

biostream® ZERO (ZERO and asepticaPRO) complies with DIN 2001-2:2009-04 and is effective across the entire drinking water pH range. On the list of the German Environment Agency under Section 20 of the Drinking Water Ordinance, neither hydrogen peroxide nor silver-based agents are listed as disinfectants.

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. For disinfecting installations, DVGW code of practice W 291 gives 150 mg/l hydrogen peroxide compared with 6 mg/l chlorine dioxide. In DIN 2001-2, silver is named only as a preservative, not as a disinfectant.

Did you know? According to the UBA list under Section 20 of the Drinking Water Ordinance, hydrogen peroxide is listed only for the purpose "oxidising agent" and not as a "disinfectant".

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 substances are listed for disinfecting drinking water.

Download information sheet (German)

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. Material compatibility applies when the recommended dosage and contact time are observed.