Winterizing Water Systems: Preventing Biofilm and Odor Issues During Seasonal Slowdowns

How proactive oxidant treatment with JC 9465 protects system health, efficiency, and safety through the colder months.

As temperatures drop and system activity slows, many facilities focus on protecting infrastructure from freezing. Yet one of the most overlooked winterization steps lies below the surface — safeguarding water systems from biofilm buildup and odor generation during periods of stagnation.

When flow slows, water temperatures cool, and organic matter accumulates, the perfect environment is created for microbial growth. Left unchecked, these organisms form biofilms that coat pipes, tanks, and equipment, trapping nutrients and producing strong, unpleasant odors. The result: corrosion, fouling, and costly clean-ups when systems restart in spring.

For municipalities, farms, and industrial operators, preventing these problems before they begin is far more efficient — and far safer — than addressing them after they appear.