Outsourced Physical / Chemical Wastewater Treatment Plant

An international manufacturer of welding wire proposed to relocate a plant from the Midwest to South Carolina. Wastewater from pickling and plating operations required pretreatment prior to discharge to the public sewer due to very low pH (< 2.0) and high copper levels. Management found themselves running over budget for constructing the new facility and lacked enthusiasm for running and maintaining another phys/chem waste plant. WaterProfessionals® was invited to quote a waste treatment plant based on waste characteristics in existing plant.

WaterProfessionals®’ first step was to conduct a treatability study of wastewater from the old plant which served as a basis for development. At management’s request, a quote was submitted for capital purchase as well as an own-operate agreement. Management decided they didn’t want to be in the wastewater treatment business at the new plant and chose the latter. This choice also eliminated the need for capital investment.

WaterProfessionals® obtained necessary permits, constructed a 40′ by 80′ building, installed a 30 gallons per minute waste treatment system and hired two full time licensed operators to run the plant. State-of-the-art monitoring, control and data logging capabilities integrated with sophisticated remote monitoring via the web assure total EPA compliance 24/7. WaterProfessionals® collect samples and coordinate with EPA- listed outside lab for required analyses and prepare and submit reports per local and state statutes. Management is relieved of these regulatory burdens.

In addition to eliminating any upfront capital cost, plant management have zero involvement in waste plant operations and can concentrate 100% on manufacturing core products.

Learn More

Case Study of Phys/Chem Wastewater Treatment Plant

February 26, 2020

📅 Updated: Feb 10, 2025 | 📁 Compliance Standards

WaterProfessionals® is the best provider of ST108-compliant water treatment solutions, offering sales and services trusted by healthcare institutions & large corporations. Ensuring compliance with ST108 AAMI water quality standards is critical for hospitals and surgical centers to maintain the safety and effectiveness of their sterile processing departments (SPDs) and medical device reprocessing operations.

Why ST108 Compliance is Critical for Hospitals

The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) developed the ST108 standard to establish strict water quality guidelines for sterile processing and medical device reprocessing in healthcare facilities. Poor water quality can lead to:

Inadequate sterilization: Residual contaminants can compromise the effectiveness of disinfectants and sterilization processes.
Instrument corrosion and damage: Hard water, chlorine, and dissolved solids cause pitting, spotting, and degradation of surgical tools.
Microbial contamination: Bacteria, endotoxins, and organic matter can remain on medical instruments, increasing infection risks.
Regulatory non-compliance: Hospitals failing to meet ST108 water quality standards risk fines, citations, and patient safety violations.

Achieving compliance with ST108 is not just about meeting regulatory requirements—it is about ensuring that every reprocessed instrument is safe for use in critical medical procedures.

Key Steps to Implement ST108 Water Quality Standards

Implementing ST108 water quality standards in a hospital’s sterile processing department requires a strategic approach that includes water testing, treatment system upgrades, and continuous monitoring.

1. Assess Current Water Quality

Hospitals must conduct a comprehensive water analysis to identify:

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): Measures inorganic salts and minerals that can cause residue buildup.
Hardness Levels: Calcium and magnesium can lead to scaling and equipment damage.
Chlorine & Chloramine Levels: Can corrode stainless steel instruments and interfere with sterilization.
Microbial Contamination: Includes bacteria, endotoxins, and organic residues that can compromise sterilization.

2. Upgrade Water Treatment Infrastructure

To meet ST108 standards, hospitals and surgical centers require specialized water treatment systems that ensure high-purity water for sterile processing. The most effective solutions include:

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems: Removes up to 98% of total dissolved solids (TDS), bacteria, and endotoxins to ensure ultra-pure water.
Deionization (DI) Systems: Achieves ultra-low conductivity water, removing minerals that can interfere with sterilization.
Carbon Filtration: Eliminates chlorine and chloramines, which can corrode surgical instruments.
Ultraviolet (UV) Sterilization: Neutralizes bacteria and viruses, preventing biofilm formation.

3. Establish Routine Monitoring & Compliance Checks

ST108 compliance is not a one-time process—it requires ongoing monitoring to ensure water quality remains within required parameters. Hospitals should implement:

Daily, weekly, and monthly water testing for microbial levels, TDS, and hardness.
Automated water monitoring systems to provide real-time data on water quality.
Regular equipment maintenance to prevent system failures and ensure consistent compliance.

Ensure Your Hospital is Fully ST108 Compliant Today

Meeting ST108 water quality standards is essential for hospital accreditation, regulatory compliance, and patient safety. Failure to comply can lead to instrument damage, sterilization failures, and increased infection risks.

Contact WaterProfessionals® today to schedule a consultation and let our water treatment experts design a custom ST108-compliant system for your hospital or surgical center.

Find A Solution

Contact our engineering team for a complimentary consultation & site audit. We design industrial water solutions tailored to your facility’s unique specifications.