Metal ion generator to disinfect sink traps

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Siphon traps are U-shaped bends built into the drainage pipes of bathroom or kitchen sinks. Water pools in these and blocks sewage gases from flowing back through sink drains, but the standing water is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. When sinks are used in hospital wards, often in very close proximity to patients, water splashing up from traps can create a bacteria-laden aerosol and contaminate the environment, spreading infection. One way to disinfect water in drain traps is to use ions of heavy metals such as copper or silver, which are known to be biocidal and are used in metal ion generators used for potable water treatment. The University of Toronto will collaborate with Circuit Plus Inc. to develop a metal ion generator system the can be used to disinfect hospital sink traps. In this project we propose to: build a low voltage metal ion generator system; coat the inside of a siphon trap with copper, which will act as an electrode; and test the effectiveness of the system in the lab in killing bacteria cultures. The biocidal efficacy of the units will be tested in the Department of Systems and Cell Biology at the University of Toronto. Copper ions concentration will be measured and bacteria death rate relations will be established. The electrodes erosion will be measured by recording their weight loss to calculate their service life.