2011 Water Purification Survey Results
Water is the most commonly used laboratory reagent; however, the importance of water quality is often overlooked. Read on to find out the results of our water purifier system survey.
Water is the most commonly used laboratory reagent; however, the importance of water quality is often overlooked. Because impurities can be a critical factor in many research experiments, water purity ranks high in importance. There are several types of impurities and contaminants in water such as particulates, organics, inorganics, microorganisms and pyrogens that can adversely affect results.
Achieving water of a high quality requires the careful use of purification technologies and a method for accurately measuring and monitoring contaminants.
Trends in laboratory water purification technologies are dictated by:
- Advances in instrumentation or applications toward higher sensitivity and analyte selectivity
- The existence of “emerging” contaminants in tap water that may not be efficiently removed by existing purification technologies
- Smaller analysis volume requirements
Water purification has come a long way in a short time since the first filtration and membrane systems of the twentieth century. Purified water, in particular, serves a variety of operations and applications, from wet chemistry to instrumental analysis.
| Number of water purification systems respondents are currently using in their labs. | |
| None | 6% |
| 1 | 50% |
| 2 | 24% |
| 3 or more | 20% |
| There are several feed sources for purifying water in the lab. The most commonly used method is “raw potable,” which is used by nearly 50% of the respondents. | |
| Raw potable | 48% |
| Deionized | 17% |
| Distilled | 10% |
| 12% | |
| Di/RO | 9% |
| Other | 3% |
| Lab water purity is classified into three different types (based on the ASTM system of grading water purity): Type 1 (the purest), Type 2, and Type 3. Type 1 (“ultrapure”) water, which is the most expensive to produce, is used for highly sensitive analytical techniques with very low detection limits, such as HPLC, LC-MS, GFAA and ICP-MS. Type 2 water is used in general laboratory applications such as buffers, standard pH solutions and microbiological culture media preparation, as well as to feed clinical analyzers and cell culture incubators. Type 3 water has the lowest purity of the three types. It is recommended for glassware rinsing, heating baths, filling autoclaves, and to feed higher-grade lab water systems. Most of the respondents use Type 1 water in their labs. | |
| ASTM Type I | 53% |
| ASTM Type II | 33% |
| ASTM Type III | 11% |
| Other | 3% |
| Once pure water has been produced, it must be validated and then carefully stored and maintained to ensure that its quality does not deteriorate. To ensure that water quality is maintained, the following components are also used in the lab: | |
| Dispensing points | 57% |
| Storage tank | 56% |
| Water quality monitor | 53% |
| 43% | |
| Polisher | 34% |
| Distiller | 25% |
| Water softener | 16% |
| Other | 6% |
| Respondents’ annual purchasing budgets for water purification system supplies/accessories such as filters. | |
| Less than $2,000 | 42% |
| $2,000 - $5,000 | 35% |
| $5,000 - $10,000 | 16% |
| $10,000+ | 7% |
| Forty-two percent of respondents who are planning to purchase a water purification system are looking to replace aging equipment. | |
| Replacement of current water purification system | 42% |
| Setting up a new lab | 27% |
| Addition to existing systems; increase capacity | 24% |
| First-time purchase of a water purification system | 5% |
| Other | 2% |
Respondents’ budget ranges for a new water purification system purchase:
| The price of a water purification system ranges from less than $5,000 for a simple single unit instrument to over $30,000 for a complete system that combines pre-treatment and polishing in one unit, and produces Type 1 water directly from tap water. Complete systems eliminate disadvantages of central water purification systems that serve as a pre-treatment step. Complete systems are popular in large R&D organizations such as pharmaceutical companies. | |
| Less than $5,000 | 30% |
| $5,000 - $10,000 | 22% |
| $10,000 - $15,000 | 18% |
| $15,000 - $20,000 | 15% |
| $20,000 - $30,000 | 5% |
| $30,000+ | 10% |
Price and budget are always considerations at the point of purchase; however, when choosing a laboratory water purification system, the method must be matched with the application. You need to consider your application, the amount of water you need for your application, and the existing condition of your feed water. Hand in hand with the proper method is the consistency of the pure water. All water purification systems may produce the highest purity of water, but not all have features that ensure high-quality water is produced consistently.
In addition, when considering a water purification system, both the quality and the quantity are important. You should take into account instantaneous as well as daily water volume requirements. For labs that have variable demands on quality and quantity, flexibility and modularity become very important. After choosing the right system, performing regular, preventative maintenance is equally important. Newer models have built-in alarms and calibrators that warn customers if certain components are coming to the end of their life cycles.
| Important factors in the decision-making process: | |
| Water quality | 99% |
| Durability of product | 97% |
| Low maintenance; Easy to clean | 97% |
| Availability of supplies and accessories | 95% |
| Ease of use | 94% |
| Price | 90% |
| Service and support | 88% |
| Warranties | 82% |
| Self-monitoring | 78% |
| Safety and health features | 68% |
| Footprint/size | 65% |
| Respondents' fields of work: | |
| Hospital/Medical center | 18% |
| Biochemistry and biology | 16% |
| Environment | 15% |
| Pharmaceutical industry | 12% |
| Chemical | 10% |
| Microbiology | 8% |
| Food and beverages | 7% |
| Other | 14% |
Completed Surveys: 398