The Cicadas are coming in 2024 but so are we!

Protect cooling towers from bugs that can clog and obstruct air flow, increase organic debris, and elevate bacteria levels.

We are passing along this important announcement from one of our key suppliers, Goodway. We work as a team to solve problems with both equipment and service expertise. Goodway shares the same values as Beacon Industrial Services. It’s one great name behind another. Their message about cicada bugs is vital to hear. It’s about protecting your cooling towers. It’s a bug, not a feature. Please read what Goodway has announced and call us to prepare in advance.

The emergence of two broods of cicadas this spring will create challenges for HVAC systems in facilities, especially in the mid-west and south-east regions of the US. The accumulation of cicadas around cooling towers can clog the fill obstructing air flow and increase organic debris in basins, elevating bacteria levels including Legionella.

“The effectiveness and cleanliness of cooling towers has a significant impact on chiller efficiency,” said Tim Kane, President and CEO of Goodway Technologies. “While routine cleaning is always important, it’s also critical to look at the potential impact of the double brood of cicadas in your area and determine how it influences your maintenance plan.”

Ongoing maintenance can help mitigate the risk of Legionella outbreaks while also improving system efficiency. Here are some additional best practices when it comes to cooling tower maintenance.

Five Steps to Proper Cooling Tower Maintenance

Inspect towers at least monthly. Sediment, scale, and slime can lead to buildup and help Legionella grow and thrive. Regular inspections will help determine when to schedule cleaning.
Clean tower basin surfaces. If sediment is visible, the basin needs to be cleaned, and cooling tower vacuums make it easier to remove contaminants without shutting down or draining your system.
Descale the fill. The tower fill provides the perfect environment for bacterial growth, especially Legionella. A descaler will dissolve the scale and mineral deposits, that Legionella like to hide in, leaving the surface ready for cleaning.
Clean the fill. A cooling tower fill cleaner will remove dirt and debris and inhibit the growth of other bacteria when utilized in conjunction with appropriate biocides.
Disinfect the tower. Cooling towers can be a dangerous breeding ground for bacteria, which makes it important to reduce the nutrients available for Legionella growth. Cooling tower bio-spray can kill 99.9% of Legionella pneumophila and is on the EPA list of disinfectants for use against SARS-COV-2 when applied properly on hard non-porous surfaces. It offers a labor-saving, no-rinse formula.

Increasing the frequency of cleaning and maintenance of your cooling towers will be key to maintaining system efficiency and facility safety in the coming months.

Using the right equipment and having a regular cleaning schedule can help you to keep up with these pending swarms that much easier.

We have your back:

Beacon Industrial Services, your cooling tower cleaning experts

Need help? Contact us today and talk with our experts. Contact Lela Klajman at 888-671-3939 today to schedule your cooling tower cleaning.