Water Quality is Important in Sterile Processing Sterile Processing in hospitals is one such application. This contamination can be problematic for many applications that use this potable water. However, despite this treatment, water can become re-contaminated with chemicals and microorganisms as it is distributed through the municipality’s piping infrastructure. Local public water systems treat water to these standards to make it potable (safe to drink). 1 The Agency sets regulatory limits for the amounts of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies contaminants to regulate in drinking water to protect public health. In terms of water purity, anything that is not an H+ or OH- ion is considered a contaminant or impurity. Water, which can exist as a solid, liquid, or vapor, consists of one atom of oxygen and two atoms of hydrogen bonded together by their shared electrons. This article will review the definition of water quality, the importance in sterile processing, adverse affects of poor water quality, and how the AAMI TIR 34 guidelines help ensure adequate water quality.Ĭlick here for information on the new AAMI ST108 standard. In order to educate and provide guidance to healthcare facility personnel, the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) publishes a comprehensive Technical Information Report (TIR) called TIR34 – Water for the reprocessing of medical devices.