A Dozen Reasons Why Ozone is the Cost-Effective Solution for Foundation Drainage
On January 1, 2022, the City of Toronto implemented a new Foundation Drainage Policy that has far-reaching implications for development in the city. It is also a likely indication of measures to come in other cities, like Toronto, that are experiencing rising population growth while their municipal infrastructure and treatment facilities struggle to meet the demand.
This new policy is designed to “preserve capacity” in Toronto’s sewer systems by requiring building owners to take responsibility for the on-site treatment of groundwater and/or stormwater that accumulates in the building foundation. Once treated, the water can then be safely discharged into the City’s storm water system, taking pressure off the municipal treatment infrastructure.
Managing foundation drainage is now an important consideration for developers because permits for new commercial buildings in Toronto will not be approved without a detailed plan that addresses the requirements of the policy.
Traditional Foundation Drainage Treatment
Unlike Toronto, most municipalities don’t require new buildings to incorporate on-site ground and stormwater treatment. However, many towns and cities enforce costly sewer discharge and overage fees for untreated contaminated water. Consequently, building engineers are being increasingly tasked with determining how best to treat large and fluctuating amounts of ground and stormwater to eliminate or reduce these charges.
All commercial building foundations must have some form of waterproofing. In recent years, some buildings have included an enhanced non permeable membrane to reduce the likelihood of leaks and the accumulation of groundwater and stormwater in the foundation. These waterproofing membranes, are installed prior to building the foundation, are very costly, and can’t guarantee groundwater leaks will not occur in the future. If and when leaks do arise, it is often difficult if not impossible to access the foundation exterior and remedy the source of the leak.
Groundwater is typically accumulated from the foundation of the building and collected in a sump pit. If this water is not treated to meet local discharge regulations, before release into the storm water system, hefty fees can often apply. Ozone treatment trains offer a cost-effective option to address leakage problems as well as a stand-alone solution to meet the most stringent municipal regulations.
The Benefits of Ozone for Foundation Drainage
There are a number of key factors to consider in determining the best treatment solution. Ozone offers the following benefits over traditional foundation drainage solutions:
The design of a site-specific treatment train incorporating the use of ozone, has resulted in a significant return on investment (ROI) for many building owners. For example, a 1-3year ROI has been realized simply through the reduction or elimination of municipal sewer discharge fees. Furthermore, an ozone treatment solution can be up to 10 times more cost effective than waterproofing methods using non permeable membranes.
Ozone is universally recognized as the strongest commercially available water disinfectant and oxidant. It is more powerful and effective than chlorine and UV. It is now the fastest growing technology in the global water disinfection sector. It is a sustainable, environmentally friendly solution that can treat an extensive list of the most complex water issues, including those inherent in stormwater and groundwater.
Ozone treatment solutions can meet the most stringent municipal stormwater/groundwater discharge guidelines. Ozone is a powerful component in the treatment train for common groundwater contaminants such as manganese, zinc, VOC’s, PAH’s and more. Traditional chemical treatments and filtration are no longer sufficient to effectively treat the increasing diversity of contaminants, sediments, and metals.
Ozone can also treat other unregulated contaminants, such as iron and iron bacteria, that can build up and clog pipes over a relatively short period of time. This iron/iron bacteria build-up can rapidly restrict flow and cause damage to discharge pumps, flow meters and infrastructure. Eventually these may require costly cleaning or replacement. The treatment of iron allows for the equipment to operate at full capacity as intended.
Ozone is the most powerful treatment solution per square foot. An ozone solution can be installed on a small footprint, saving valuable space. This is an important consideration for developers and building engineers in an industry that pays close attention to the cost per square footage.
Aclarus System Design & Installation Photos of Toronto condominium with 4 floors of underground parking
Ozone reduces or eliminates the need for harsh chemicals in the treatment train, and consequently the need to purchase and store chemicals which take up valuable building space. Furthermore, it can reduce or ideally eliminate the need to handle dangerous chemicals making it safer for building managers and operators.
Ozone can be safely produced onsite with generators that replicate the natural oxidation process. Ozone systems, such as those developed and installed by Aclarus, are low maintenance and safe to operate. They can be fully automated to monitor ozone levels and water quality and can make adjustments as required, saving valuable operator time and costs. They can also be easily integrated into existing building automation monitoring systems using protocols such as BACnet and can be remotely monitored for service and support. This is critical for consistent treatment to meet regulatory standards.
Ozone (O3), unlike chlorine, leaves no chemical by-products in the water. Ozone is produced by applying an electrical charge to oxygen (O2) molecules in water, causing the oxygen molecules to separate and temporarily recombine with other oxygen molecules to form ozone. When ozone encounters pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, it splits the cells and eradicates those contaminants, leaving environmentally safe oxygen as the only by-product.
Ozone in the treatment train can extend the life of carbon filters, thereby reducing ongoing operational costs. Ozone has the ability to pre-treat contaminants before they reach the carbon filters, consequently reducing replacement frequency, saving maintenance time and costs.
Some ozone solutions offer sophisticated IOT remote monitoring (including smart phone access) which provide 24/7 safety assurance.
Ozone solutions provide the option to reuse treated stormwater for greywater applications. An ozone system can be designed to direct the treated stormwater for use in the buildings cooling tower, water features, on-site car wash, landscape/tree irrigation and toilet flushing etc.
Ozone Solutions Enhance ESG Ratings
Another emerging but important consideration for developers is the adoption of practices that support Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG). ESG is a set of criteria for a company’s operations that environmentally and socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. An ozone water treatment solution that can help builders improve their ESG rating is important to their business model as a means to attract and satisfy investors, condominium boards and even potential buyers.
The environmental criteria of ESG also considers how a company performs as a steward of nature. Ozone offers a chemical-free, sustainable solution that works quickly and safely to eradicate contaminants. It actually improves the water quality of receiving waterways because the treated effluent is rich in oxygen, which protects and improves watershed ecosystems. Ozone also offers water reuse and conservation opportunities that can make a significant contribution to enhancing a building’s ESG rating.
In conclusion, ozone water treatment solutions, like those Aclarus designs, engineers and installs, provide builders with a number of benefits. The use of ozone ensures safe and cost-effective compliance with municipal discharge regulations, and it is an environmentally friendly solution for eradicating a growing list of contaminants that are resistant to traditional treatments. It can also enhance traditional water treatment trains. It is no wonder, then, that builders are increasingly turning to ozone as the solution for their on-site foundation drainage needs.
Aclarus Ozone is a leading North American ozone solutions provider, with more than 1,000 global installations including 35 on-site groundwater and/or stormwater treatment solutions in Torontos’s most desirable condominiums. Aclarus also provides superior disinfection solutions for drinking water, wastewater, rainwater, reuse, process water and CIP sanitation. Every Aclarus solution is designed and engineered to unique requirements and is backed by robust research, rigorous testing, service and support. To learn how Aclarus can cost effectively treat your most complex foundation drainage issues please contact us here.
April 7 – Webinar
Meeting the requirements of Toronto’s new Foundation Drainage Policy Webinar