Water Quality in Healthy Buildings with Ron Blutrich of Clear Inc.
Green Healthy Places: Ron, pleasure to have you here.
Ron: Thank you for having me, Matt. Appreciate it.
Green Healthy Places: Many successful businesses emerge from solving a specific problem. What was the primary issue you set out to address with Clear Inc.?
Ron: Our goal is to provide the highest level of water quality to all levels of society, starting with where people live and work. This is a personal and passionate topic for me. During my PhD in molecular genetics at the University of Toronto, I contracted a parasite called Entamoeba histolytica from contaminated water, which causes amoebic dysentery and kills over 100,000 people globally each year. That experience led me to research water quality, how it's managed, treated, and the associated risks.
To my surprise, water quality issues were not limited to remote communities but were prevalent in urban centers like Toronto, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Many people are unaware of these growing concerns, which could contribute to chronic health issues. Clean, safe water should be a basic expectation, yet many are exposed to risks they don't recognize.
In 2021, I wrote a white paper summarizing my research. I found that property managers and owners could take practical steps to improve water quality and create healthier environments. At Clear Inc., we focus on integrating water quality solutions into real estate, making it an amenity that developers can offer, not just as a luxury but as an affordable, effective infrastructure improvement for all types of housing.
We believe water quality should be a standard part of building infrastructure, incorporating monitoring and treatment. Our solutions ensure residents receive high-quality water, reducing sick days and improving overall well-being.
I founded Clear Inc. with my father, Gil Blutrich. With our background in real estate development, we sought the best technologies to address water quality issues in high-rise buildings. We discovered that while the problem is complex, the right solutions exist, and our challenge is to introduce them to the market and educate stakeholders about their benefits. The technology is well-established; it's now a matter of implementation and awareness.
Green Healthy Places: Before we discuss your product, let's clarify some basics. Are we talking about drinking water specifically, or all water used in buildings, including showers and faucets?
Ron: Many people focus on drinking water, but shower water is equally important. A major concern is Legionella, a bacteria that thrives in urban buildings and high-rises. While drinking water with Legionella poses no harm, inhaling contaminated water in a shower can cause severe lung infections. Cases have increased tenfold in recent decades, yet the reported numbers likely represent only a fraction of the actual problem.
Legionella exposure can also occur in hot tubs, saunas, and even grocery store misters. It's crucial to consider water quality beyond just drinking water.
Green Healthy Places: We're concerned about germs, pathogens, viruses, and bacteria. Can you explain turbidity and coliforms and how they relate to water safety?
Ron: Of course. Water quality has multiple aspects: physical (sediment, metals), chemical (PFAS, chlorine), and biological (parasites, bacteria, viruses). Turbidity refers to the cloudiness caused by suspended particles, while coliforms indicate bacterial presence. Monitoring and treating all these factors is essential to ensuring safe water.
Green Healthy Places: How frequently should buildings conduct water quality tests from a facilities management perspective?
Ron: Monitoring is critical. Installing the best filters isn't enough if you don't track performance. Filters degrade over time, affecting water quality. Fortunately, detection technologies have become more affordable and precise, making regular monitoring feasible for building management.
DIY home test kits, such as those from Tapscore, provide comprehensive water quality analysis. At Clear Inc., we take it further by collaborating with EMSL, a leading environmental testing laboratory, to develop high-resolution bacterial testing protocols. The affordability of these tests now allows us to identify and address water quality issues that were previously undetectable.
Green Healthy Places: There are parallels with indoor air quality, where monitoring technology has improved accessibility and affordability. Are property managers facing increasing responsibility to manage water quality?
Ron: Absolutely. As detection technologies become more advanced and affordable, individuals can now test their water quality at home. This puts pressure on developers and property managers to ensure safe water, and it’s driving regulatory changes. For example, Legionella testing, once uncommon, is now mandatory in some jurisdictions, with results publicly available. Poor test results trigger costly remediation efforts, so proactive management is essential.
Green Healthy Places: What is the root cause of water quality deterioration? Industrial pollution? Agricultural runoff?
Ron: Water and air quality have always been complex issues, but now we have better detection methods. Hospitals can now identify illnesses linked to environmental factors, such as Legionella pneumonia. Increased awareness is driving demand for healthier buildings.
Green Healthy Places: What filtration approach has Clear Inc. taken?
Ron: Traditional filters include sediment filters, activated carbon, and reverse osmosis (RO) systems. While these are effective, they have limitations. A common issue is bacterial growth inside filters, especially if they are not maintained regularly. Many people unknowingly increase their risk of contamination by using outdated filters.
Ultraviolet (UV) sterilization is an essential part of any filtration system. Unlike physical filters, UV destroys bacteria, viruses, and other biological contaminants. It’s widely used in industries like bottled water production and pharmaceuticals but has yet to be widely adopted in residential and commercial buildings.
At Clear Inc., we provide industrial-grade UV systems capable of sterilizing water at scale. These systems have been used in factories for over 20 years and can be integrated into buildings to ensure safe water from every tap and shower.
Green Healthy Places: Does your product adapt to different property types, such as affordable housing, luxury condos, or hotels?
Ron: Yes, our system is universally applicable. Because it's a centralized solution, it becomes even more cost-effective in larger buildings. Unlike individual filters, which require maintenance in every unit, our system is installed at the building’s entry point, ensuring safe water throughout.
Green Healthy Places: You're integrating water quality solutions into real estate. How does this fit into your broader vision for healthy buildings?
Ron: Healthy buildings are the future of real estate. We’ve seen a shift from ESG-focused sustainability to a demand for buildings that actively promote health and well-being. We implemented this concept in an office space in downtown Miami, transforming it into a wellness-focused environment. Within five months, we fully leased the space, attracting tenants who value health-oriented amenities.
We’re now developing a residential project in Miami, integrating air and water quality, acoustics, thermal comfort, and sustainable materials. Our goal is to create a scalable, cost-effective model that can be applied across different types of developments, not just luxury buildings.
Green Healthy Places: You're putting your money where your mouth is, pushing the industry forward. How can people follow your work?
Ron: Follow us on LinkedIn at Clear Inc., visit our website (clear.inc), or reach out to me directly. I'm always open to collaborating with others passionate about healthy buildings and water quality.
Green Healthy Places: Thank you, Ron. Best of luck with everything.
Additional notes:
Healthy Building Certifications
Healthy building certifications are becoming increasingly popular as building owners and developers recognize the importance of creating healthy indoor environments. Certifications such as WELL, LEED, and BREEAM provide a framework for designing and operating healthy buildings.
These certifications assess various factors, including air quality, water quality, lighting, and thermal comfort, to ensure that buildings meet rigorous standards for occupant health and well-being.
By achieving healthy building certification, building owners can demonstrate their commitment to providing a healthy environment for their occupants.
This not only enhances the marketability of the property but also ensures a higher standard of living for those who reside or work within these spaces.
Building Management Systems (BMS) for Healthy Buildings
Building Management Systems (BMS) play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy building environment. A BMS is a centralized system that monitors and controls various building systems, including HVAC, lighting, and security.
By integrating a BMS, building owners can ensure good indoor air quality, optimal temperature, and adequate lighting, which are essential for a healthy indoor environment.
A BMS also helps to detect potential issues before they become major problems, reducing the risk of water damage, mold growth, and other health hazards.
This proactive approach not only enhances the comfort and safety of occupants but also contributes to the overall efficiency and sustainability of the building.
The Future of Healthy Buildings
The future of healthy buildings is exciting and rapidly evolving. As technology advances, we can expect to see more innovative solutions for maintaining healthy indoor environments.
Some emerging trends include the use of smart lighting systems that adjust to natural light levels, advanced air filtration systems that remove pollutants and allergens, and building materials that promote healthy indoor air quality.
Additionally, there is a growing focus on incorporating natural elements, such as green walls and living roofs, into building design to promote occupant well-being. As the importance of healthy buildings continues to grow, we can expect to see more buildings prioritizing the health and well-being of their occupants.
This shift towards healthier environments will not only improve the quality of life for individuals but also contribute to the sustainability and resilience of our built environment.