Everyone has the right to clean water. However, low-income communities often face disproportionate exposure to poor water quality and contaminants. Furthermore, 70% of water quality violations are found in systems serving socially vulnerable populations. Since the 1970s, there has been a continuous decline in government investment into water infrastructure, disproportionately affecting low-income and marginalized communities. In a population with limited access to healthcare services and sick leave from work, poor water quality has a particularly harmful impact on quality of life. As a result, water purification amenities are a high-impact investment in the health of these communities.
Imperial Tower is a 100% affordable senior Section 8 property in downtown Sacramento, California. This 187-unit building was completed in 1977 and acquired by Standard Communities in 2018. In 2019, the building underwent comprehensive renovations to update unit interiors, common areas, and the building exterior. Imperial Tower is one of many affordable property projects for Standard Communities.
Although the water at Imperial Tower met EPA standards, Standard Communities wanted to go beyond the standard. As part of an initiative to improve water quality at Imperial Tower, Standard Communities partnered with Clear Inc., a leader in centralized UV water technology for residential properties.
Clear’s UV water purification system is powered by HOD (Hydro-Optic Disinfection) Technology by Atlantium Technologies. This UV reactor is employed across diverse industries, including biopharmaceuticals, beverage manufacturing, and municipal water treatment. As an inline system, Clear UV is easily integrated into an existing pump room. By purifying water at the point of entry (POE) to the building, every tap, shower, and fountain throughout the property is supplied with high quality water.
Clear designed the retrofit and gained the appropriate permits. The installation took place on January 23rd, 2024, and the system was calibrated, tested, and ignited the following day. Clear’s partnership with Standard Communities includes regular servicing and maintenance, which Clear has been performing every 6 months since the installation.
Clear’s unique amenity allows Standard Communities to provide the highest quality water to 187 seniors’ homes. At the same time, this investment into healthy infrastructure helps boost the property value for Standard Communities and sets them apart from competitors. Clear UV has the added benefit of preventative maintenance, reducing biofilm buildup and pipe corrosion, which increases the longevity of the plumbing system at Imperial Tower. These benefits come with hassle-free service from start to finish.
This case study demonstrates a successful partnership between Standard Communities, an affordable housing innovator, and Clear. This type of collaborative engagement showcases the mutual benefit of healthy infrastructure investments for both affordable housing owners and the communities that they serve.
