Lab Water System Buyers Guide
Water, water everywhere – let's talk lab water systems! While laboratories vary in size, scope, set-up and purpose, there is one crucial element that ties them together, water.
From simple tasks like rinsing procedures to preparing sample solutions for high-grade research applications, water is an absolute necessity. By exploring the nuances of lab water, you can obtain a better understanding of the equipment and consumables required to set up a laboratory for success.
This guide will take you through the ins and outs of laboratory-grade water, the steps to purification and why it is important to tailor lab water solutions to the specific needs of your laboratory or work environment. Ready? Let’s dive in!
1. Lab Water Systems
Lab Water and Lab Water Systems: Six Factors to Consider
Laboratories require water for sampling, dilution, blanks, buffer preparation and media preparation as well as feed water for different instruments (such as dishwashers and autoclaves). The water is either store-bought or sourced from a water purification system. A purification system in the laboratory means fresh purified water on demand. Being your own water source reduces storage contamination risk while saving time and money.
There are six factors to consider when choosing your water purification system, including:
I. Understand Breakdown of Water Types/Grades
Everyone knows ocean water is not safe to drink, and a retention pond would be a less-than-ideal location for a bath. Simply put, all water types are not the same. This principle is no different when it comes to water used in a laboratory. Variances in quality and purity determine which type of water is used for tasks and applications. Lab water types are broken down into the following categories:
Type 1 water is the standard for the most critical laboratory applications. It is created by applying an ion exchange process to treated water – Type 2 or Type 3. For critical life science applications, a Type 1 ultrapure water system - together with an ultrafilter - should be used. The ultrapure water system should have a UV-light implemented if critical analytical work such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP) is being performed.
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Deionization technology and reverse osmosis, or a combination thereof, are examples of alternative technologies that can be used to produce Type 2 water. Type 2 water can be used wherever Type 3 water could be used and is also best used for less sensitive analytical methods, but for applications a bit more critical than can be covered by Type 3. This translates to uses such as sample, media and buffer preparation. It can also be used as a feed source for the creation of Type 1 water.
Regular tap water is generally insufficient for the needs of a laboratory. With RO technology, a semipermeable membrane removes 95-99% of impurities such as bacteria, particles, organics and salts from a feedwater source. Type 3 water (also known as RO water) is the result of this process. Type 3 water is not defined by specific quality parameters but is determined by the quality of the feed water. This means the water can vary between modules, regions and seasons. Because of this, Type 3 water is used for less critical purposes such as dish washers and autoclaves. It can also be used as a feed source for higher level lab waters.
II. Find the Best Water Purification System for Your Laboratory
As you can see, laboratory water is not a one-size-fits-all concept, so it stands to reason that equipment solutions would follow suit. Leading water purification system manufacturers offer a wide range of options to meet lab water needs regarding quality, daily volume usage and flexibility. Purification technologies can also be combined to ensure water is optimized for your specific needs.
Type 1 - Ultrapure Water Systems
Highly sensitive analytical methods can be susceptible to interference when the right lab water is not used. By using ultrapure water (Type 1), you can ensure reproducibility of results and the prevention of repeat analyses.
Type 2 - Pure Water Systems
Because it can be used as a feed source for Type 1 water and as a base medium for less-sensitive applications, Type 2 – pure water is a common staple in many laboratories. These systems use three purification stages to remove ions, bacteria, organic impurities and other contaminants from feedwater.
Efficient water usage is also ensured with the iJust function, which automatically optimizes usage and quality of the water used. And with unique Bagtank technology, your water can be safely stored and protected from impurities.
Arium® water purification systems are available in wall-mounted and built-in units to save bench space. Conversely, benchtop systems are also available.
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III. Lab Water Needs by Application
We have established the importance of lab water as a staple in most (if not all) laboratory environments. If we dip deeper into the well, we can explore the concept of lab water’s role in terms of application. Just a few examples of lab applications that rely on purified water to facilitate workflows include:
- Biopharmaceutical Analysis
- Analytical Applications - Analytical lab applications tend to be extremely critical and sensitive. As such, they require top-quality ultrapure water – with the lowest possible TOC levels – for rinsing and sample preparation. Anything less could contain impurities which could present as ghost peaks and interfere with results. Common ultrapure water-reliant applications include:
- High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
- Trace Analysis
- Ion Chromatography (IC)
- Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) - Molecular Biology | Life Science - Life science applications also rely on ultrapure water. In biological applications, it is of utmost importance that the water be treated to ensure the lowest possible levels of RNase/DNase, endotoxins, and bacteria. These are key requirements in life science applications such as:
- Cell Cultivation
- Northern, Southern and Western Blot
- DNA Sequencing
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) - General Laboratory - Many general lab applications are less sensitive and critical, meaning they fare well using pure lab water. When the water is consistently pure and of uniform quality, it ensures less interference with samples or experiment results. These applications include:
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Buffer, Media and pH Solutions
- Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)
IV. Classify Feed Water Source
Feed water usually derives from two sources: open (rivers, lakes, etc.) or closed (I.e., groundwater). From either source (mineral content, TOC level, etc. will vary depending on source), the water then makes its way to water purification centers to become regionally regulated tap water. As water conditions and regulations can vary by season and region/country. It can be helpful to familiarize yourself with local water regulations to determine which purification methods will best yield the Type I, II or III water required for your particular workflow. It is important to remember feed water type will determine which kind of system can be used – a tap water or deionized water connection.
V. Water Consumption per Day
The amount of purified water will for sure determine what size system the end-user needs. All water types used in the laboratory need to be considered (i.e., how much Type II water used as well as ultrapure water).
VI. Decide Water System Installation Options Based on Lab Logistics
Laboratory space can be a precious commodity - an important factor to consider when choosing the perfect lab water system. Will your system be wall-mounted or installed on/under a workbench?
Expect Flexible Solutions for Reliable Results
Consider Sartorius, which offers Arium® water purification systems. Arium® water purification systems offer a wide range of options to meet lab water needs - whether they revolve around space-saving or speed.
2. Maintenance
Staying Reliable – Lab Water Purification System Maintenance
Water purification systems are valuable laboratory assets. The best way to protect these assets is to stay vigilant in terms of maintenance. From consumable life cycles to cleaning schedules, there is plenty to consider. This section will explore the nuances of maintenance to help users consistently get the best use out of their water purification systems.
In addition to high-quality water purification systems and accessories, it helps to have scheduled preventative maintenance to keep systems performing at peak level. We offer with our Arium® systems a top team of service professionals to keep your equipment at its best. With the help of Sartorius Instrument Services, you can ensure optimal performance from day one!
For initial product installation, we recommend one of our qualified engineers who can not only install your system with minimal risk of error but can also get the system qualified (IQ|OQ). This ensures the lab water system is operating according to specifications and is compliant with regulatory guidelines.
While many maintenance routines can be performed by users (changing of consumables, etc.), it is recommended a service contract be implemented with the manufacturer. With these contracts come attractive options such as extended warranty, calibration, preventative maintenance and original spare parts.
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3. Total Cost of Ownership
Total Cost of Ownership for Lab Water Systems
Lab water purification systems are investments, no doubt. When it comes to choosing the right water purification system for your laboratory, it is important to consider the short and long-term costs associated with system ownership. Employing a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) blueprint can be a significant help when assessing laboratory needs vs. laboratory budget.
The type of water and what needs you have will set up an initial framework for your lab water purification system budget. It is always good to remember the lowest up-front costs might in the long run be the most expensive choice. As such it is important to consider the total cost of ownership (TCO), taking not only the initial cost of the system into consideration, but also necessary accessories, installation, consumables and service needed to run the system over time. This provides a more thorough cost overview and shows how it fits into your budget.
Things to consider when purchasing your lab water system:
Consider Your Needs
When choosing a water purification system for your laboratory, the first step is to figure out which water purification system is right for you and your applications. So in addition to considering your total daily volume and your applications in your laboratory, you would also need to determine the need for:
- Pretreatment system
- UV light or ultrafilter
- Total organic carbon (TOC) monitor
- Extra remote dispense units
- Intermediate water storage unit
- Potential future water needs
There are several variations and sizes of water purification systems to accommodate your needs. Combined systems are also an option to produce distinct types of water with one system. To save valuable laboratory bench space, there is usually an option to have the system installed on the wall or under the bench.
Installation and Maintenance
Include in your considerations the cost of installation and maintenance. It is highly recommended to let the manufacturer’s own qualified engineers install and maintain the system to ensure it runs within specifications from day one. It is also recommended to sign a service/maintenance contract to ensure the system functions as intended for the coming years. This also gives you a fixed cost for service and reduces surprises and unforeseen costs.
Contracts sometimes offer the benefit of extended warranties and having consumables delivered together with service visits (no need for manual reordering of consumables). Service - together with consumables - are the main source of costs over time, so it is important to include them from the start. Some manufacturers offer tailored service options depending on your industry (and any regulations you work under) and the availability of trained staff that can undertake some of the routine maintenance.
Consumables and System Lifetime
Consumables, together with service, are the main source of costs after initial purchase. Therefore, the number of consumables and how often they should be replaced have a direct impact on TCO. In some cases, consumable bundles may be available to make the order process easier and more economical.
Regarding consumables and spare parts, one should consider how long parts, service and support will be available for the system. This might affect when you need to replace your entire system.
As the recommended lifetime of a system is currently up to 10 years maximum, you should start considering replacing your system after approximately seven or eight years depending on funding availability and budgetary cycles. Otherwise, you could potentially end up with a non-functioning water purification system or facing significant maintenance costs as major components wear out and require replacement leading to potentially long down times.
Time is Money
It is also important to remember the time of your laboratory personnel and technicians also has a cost. Therefore, it can be better to let your personnel concentrate on their own tasks and not worry about installation and maintenance of your water purification system. This directly correlates with having the manufacturer’s own qualified engineers performing the installation and maintenance.
Another crucial factor is downtime and how easy it is to exchange consumables like the final filter and perform system cleaning between maintenance visits. One considerable downtime period of the system is the cleaning of your water storage tank. This should generally be done every six months. Not only does this stop any water dispensing, (preventing work in the laboratory), but can also take a long time.
The bigger the storage volume, the longer cleaning and rinsing takes. This is one reason you should not choose a water storage tank that is bigger than what you need. One way to minimize the downtime of the water storage tank’s cleaning cycle is to choose a water storage tank that uses a disposable bag, which is easily exchangeable and reduces downtime dramatically.
4. Accessories
Find Your Solution
Acquiring the ideal lab water purification system is a paramount step in organizing an optimal workspace – but there are still steps that can make the process even smoother. A few smart accessory picks can make fast work of storage solutions, dispensing options and more.
Lab Water Storage: It’s in the Bag
With economic and environmental responsibility at the forefront in most laboratories, there is an emphasis on minimizing water waste. For lab water, this usually means intermediate storage in storage tanks.
With standard lab water storage tanks comes the detriment of cleaning, a time- consuming task usually requiring harsh chemical agents. Arium® systems have designed an innovative and elegant solution to this with Bagtank storage technology. Using integrated single-use bags, the system protects stored water and negates tedious tank maintenance.
Top Features of Arium® Bagtank:
- Versatility – The Bagtank system is compatible with the Arium® Advance RO and EDI, Arium® Comfort I and II systems and is available in three volumes: 20, 50 and 100 L. 50 and 100 L Bagtanks can be chosen with or without an integrated pump for pressure and flow rate (an external pump is available for 20 L).
- Streamlined Workflow – With a five-minute bag exchange time, storage tanks can be filled, and work can continue with minimal downtime.
- Reliable Protection – An integrated ventilation filter with non-return valve protects your lab water against CO₂ pollution.
Flexible Lab Water Dispensing Solutions
Dispensing pure and ultrapure water to various applications can be tricky when using centralized laboratory water systems. It is at times like these when people might wish for a flexible and ergonomic middleman to adapt the water system to the lab. And that is exactly what they get with the Arium® Smart Station. Dispense the exact amount of water you need – exactly where you need it.
Top Features of Arium® Smart Station:
- Versatility – With optimal height and an adjustable arm, the Arium® Smart Station can easily integrate into any lab environment. Connect three Smart Stations to your ultrapure water system, saving costs and valuable lab space.
- Intuitive Design – Menu navigation is easier than ever with a touch-activated color display that can be used even when wearing gloves.
- Customized Installation – The Smart Station can be wall-mounted or installed on bench tops, allowing versatility when exploring space-saving options in the laboratory.
And there you have it – pure (or ultrapure) and simple guidelines for setting up your laboratory with a water purification system that can assist you in performing your very best work in biochemistry, pharmaceuticals, etc. From cost schematics to application needs, we have you completely covered. Our service team and equipment experts are always ready to answer additional questions, provide maintenance and keep your water system at peak performance.
Want more helpful hints for your lab water system? Feel free to reach out to an expert for more information.
