In healthcare, water plays a key role in cleaning, rinsing, and sterilizing instruments. That’s why AAMI released
ST108. It’s a new standard for water quality in medical device processing.
While not required yet, it’s strongly recommended. Surgery centers should pay close attention.
ST108 stands for "Water for the Processing of Medical Devices." It was approved in August 2023. This new standard replaces AAMI TIR34, which was a technical report. ST108 is more formal. It lays out specific water quality guidelines.
But here’s the key: ST108 is not yet required. However, it is widely recommended for surgery centers that want to stay ahead.
Surgery centers process critical and semi-critical reusable instruments daily. These tools must be cleaned properly. Sterilization only works if the water used is pure and consistent.
Poor water quality can:
- Leave spots or film on tools
- Cause equipment corrosion
- Interfere with sterilization
- Lead to infection risks
ST108 offers guidance to prevent these problems. It helps protect patients, staff, and instruments.
While ST108 isn’t enforced by law, accreditation agencies and surveyors are beginning to look for signs of compliance. It’s a sign of excellence. It shows a center is going above the minimum. Centers that follow ST108 stand out. They reduce risks, increase trust, and make inspections easier.
What ST108 Recommends
The standard defines three water types:
- Utility Water – used for flushing and cleaning
- Critical Water – used for final rinses and steam
- Steam – used in sterilizers
Each has quality benchmarks for:
- pH
- Conductivity
- Hardness
- Organic and inorganic contaminants
- Microbial levels
- Endotoxins
Meeting these levels means installing or upgrading water systems. That might include:
- Whole-home softeners
- Reverse osmosis units
- Ultraviolet disinfection
- Carbon backwashing filters
- UV Lights
- Sediment filters
- Booster pumps
- or other equipment
Safeway Water Technologies
specializes in water filtration and water treatment. We currently serve many surgery centers, medical clinics, and hospitals. We know the ST108 standard inside and out.
We can help by:
- Testing your current water
- Reviewing your existing system
- Recommending upgrades
- Installing new filtration systems
- Offering preventive maintenance
- Providing documentation
You don’t need to figure this out alone. We’ll walk you through it.
Since ST108 isn’t required, some centers may wait. But waiting has risks.
Tools may not be cleaned properly
Biofilm can buildup in pipes or filters
Auditors may ask about ST108 readiness
Long-term costs may rise from equipment damage
You may miss a chance to improve patient safety
Even though it’s voluntary, following ST108 is a smart business and clinical decision.
Compliance doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and planning. Here’s what you can do now:
✅ Form a water management team
✅ Test your water sources
✅ Review your treatment systems
✅ Read the ST108 standard
✅ Get help from water experts
✅ Document improvements
Even small steps matter. They show intent. They show awareness. They show leadership.
While ST108 isn’t a regulation, auditors often look for best practices. Accrediting bodies such as AAAHC and The Joint Commission care about water quality. They may reference ST108 when evaluating sterilization processes. Centers that follow it may have smoother inspections. They’ll also have clearer documentation and fewer corrective actions.
We Make ST108 Easy
Our company offers turnkey solutions:
Installation of softeners, filters, and RO systems
Regular service and performance checks
Logbooks and testing results for inspections
We focus on simplicity. Our goal is to keep your surgery center running smoothly. You handle patients. We handle the water.
Long-Term Benefits of ST108
Even if not required, ST108 has BIG benefits:
- Cleaner instruments
- Less downtime
- Better sterilization results
- Fewer repairs on washers or sterilizers
- Happier inspectors
- Safer outcomes
- That’s a win for everyone.
VA and Federal Attention
The VA is already encouraging water management in line with ST108. The VHA Directive 1116(2), effective in January 2024, stresses water quality for device reprocessing. It mirrors many ST108 ideas. Other agencies may follow soon.
This shows where things are heading. ST108 may become mandatory in the future. Starting now gives your center a head start.
Be Proactive, Not Reactive
AAMI ST108 is not law. But it is smart. It protects patients, boosts compliance, and shows leadership. For surgery centers, it’s a chance to rise above the minimum.
The best centers don’t wait for rules. They prepare early. They improve constantly. They value water quality as part of patient safety.
If you're ready to explore ST108, we’re ready to help.
We’ll guide you, test your water, recommend improvements, and support your team with worry-free service. Let’s make clean, compliant water one less thing for your staff to worry about. Contact Safeway Water Technologies here to start
your water journey.