Legionella management has never been so important. Being such a risk factor, there is a need now more than ever to prevent it’s growth and presence. In detail, Legionella grows best within a certain temperature range (77°F-113°F). To keep water outside the range for Legionella growth, it is important to keep cold water cold and keep hot water hot. There is now a need more than ever for this to be “managed” so it can’t pose to be a problem or risk.
Legionella growth is enabled by lukewarm water temperatures, usually in the range of 77 degrees Fahrenheit to 108 degrees Fahrenheit. ⁹ Dead legs. A “dead leg” is caused by no flow or rare flow of water in pipes. When it comes to water in pipes, this is where and how as well as why legionella needs to be kept on top of and fully managed too. After all, everyone wants nothing more than safe water supply when they turn on a tap. However, keeping potable and non-potable water supply systems safe can be challenging, as underground water infrastructure ages or becomes outdated and as newer types of water supply systems and lower flow rates keep water in pipes longer.
Legionella and how it be a risk factor
Legionella are naturally occurring bacteria found in freshwater sources, such as rivers and lakes, where the bacteria generally are present in low amounts and do not lead to disease. It can multiply to dangerous levels under certain conditions and potentially cause Legionnaires’ disease, or Legionellosis. People contract this disease by inhaling small droplets of the contaminated water through mist or vapor.
In terms of its discovery / the first case of it, it was first discovered in 1976 in the building water supply system at a hotel in Philadelphia during a meeting of the U.S. Bicentennial Convention of the American Legion. By the end of the convention, more than 200 people had contracted the bacteria, which resulted in what would be called Legionnaires’ disease. As you can see, the name has stuck ever since. It’s just a shame the disease hasn’t been rid off from the offset since this time. As you can imagine though there are measures being taken to at least try.
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As a risk factor – who can be affected?
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by infection with Legionella bacteria. Individuals who have an underlying illness or a weak immune system are very much the most susceptible to getting and contracting Legionella infections. The elderly, those with chronic lung disease, smokers and those with suppressed or compromised immune systems are most at risk for contracting the disease. However, relatively healthy individuals can be at risk of contracting Legionella also. In fact, no one is safe from what is such a dangerous bacteria-born risk factor and disease
Water supply systems and the ways they can infected from legionella
Today, there is so much more info regarding legionella than you would have seen 40 years ago in regards to the factors contributing to the growth and spread of Legionella. New outbreaks of the disease have been discovered throughout the world, proving there is still much more still to learn. Legionella contamination can occur when water supply systems are improperly maintained, leading to an environment that feeds Legionella growth.
When it is ignored or not monitored that the real issues can begin to really occurs. Just from following some very simple steps you can go a long way. This is to making sure your systems are much safer for all concerned. Inspections and maintenance are really effective ways to keep on top of this. In the last decade, there are now more companies than ever before offering these services. They are designed to help building owners and managers combat legionella in their property. You could say this has now become a cottage industry of sorts in its own right. All over the UK in the major cities like London and Manchester there are companies that will regularly check on the presence of legionella in hotels, bars, restaurants and other similar areas too.
What types of environments can be prone to full scale Legionella contamination?
First, Legionella needs to grow to be an actual a health risk. Parts of a water system with insufficient circulation or lukewarm temperature can provide the ideal environment for Legionella growth. Once Legionella grows, it needs to have a clear way to spread. Any source that generates aerosol or a fine mist of water has the potential to transmit Legionella. Large complex plumbing systems like those used in hospitals, retirement communities, and cruise ships are most often associated with Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks. The same too can be said of the systems you may see in a large scale swimming pool set up, like what you’d see at a lido.
Can it be prevented? If so, how is this possible?
The key to preventing Legionnaires’ disease is to prevent Legionella growth in water supply systems. This is where it helps to have some sort of a maintenance service as well as inspections in place. Legionella can really get in to the water delivery lines and building plumbing systems, contaminating water supplies after the water has been centrally treated at a public water facility. It is for sure a health risk if it is ignored. This is why it does make good financial sense to have it properly looked into and inspected.
One of the best ways to reduce the risk of Legionella growth is through design. It also helps to implement and regularly update an overall water safety plan for an entire system. This needs to very much take into account any potential hazardous conditions. This is the case for a particular system and including industry best practices for prevention. The foundation of this plan is an engineering audit of the water system. Again, there are companies able to carry out this service and process.
Are there energy efficiency and similar measures that can cause unintended consequences and conditions that may lead the way for the growth of legionella?
Building more sustainable water supply systems with the best intentions can still result in unintended consequences, such as Legionella contamination. This is even more the case too if proper precautions are not taken. For example, areas dealing with severe water shortages have lowered or have considered lowering the required flow rates or flush volumes of plumbing products. This includes faucets, showerheads, urinals and toilets. However, concerns have surfaced that lower flow velocities may yield a greater proliferation of OPPPs. This includes aspects such as Legionella, in potable water and create unsafe conditions.
Conclusion – good water management is key in all cases
Legionnaire bacteria are invisible and a potential killer. You could even look at it as being something of a silent killer. With this, each building must appoint a duty-holder whose job it is to comply with the regulations related to legionella. All of this includes carrying out a Legionella Risk Assessment, writing a Scheme of Control for Legionella, and keeping records of the building’s Legionella programme. The duty-holder must establish a programme for efficient water management. This will also need to take into account and address fully the dangers of legionella. This is by preventing bacteria from growing. It is also done from helping comply with the legislation, and saving lives.
