Legionella Risks in Plumbing Systems: What Every Facility Needs to Know

Understanding Legionella

Legionella is a bacterium that naturally exists in almost all fresh water. It flourishes in plumbing systems where water temperatures are between 20°C and 50°C. Once established, it attaches itself to the biofilm (a slimy layer inside the pipes), multiplies, and feeds on nutrients in the water. The bacteria become dangerous when they are released into water droplets from cooling towers, showerheads, misters, faucets, hot tubs, and similar equipment. When these droplets become aerosolized and are inhaled, Legionella can infect the lungs. For vulnerable individuals—especially in healthcare settings—the infection can escalate into Legionnaires disease,?a severe pneumonia that can be fatal.

Take Immediate Action – Steps to Control Legionella:

1. Eliminate Stagnation and Dead Legs in Your Water System Regularly flush out stagnant water. Ensure water is circulating effectively, especially in low-usage areas. Recirculation systems must reach all areas of the building. Ensure a water flow speed of over 0.76 meters per second during flushing for optimal results.

2. Review Low-Flow Fixtures in Healthcare: While water conservation is important, it should not come at the cost of safety. If you're managing a healthcare facility, remove low-flow fixtures where possible. Protect your patients by ensuring a healthy flow of water to avoid stagnation.

3. Raise Your Hot Water Temperature: Increase the temperature of your water heater and pipes to at least 54°C (ideally, 60°C). However, to avoid the risk of scalding, make sure to install point-of-use mixing valves in critical areas.

4. Install a Bacterial Firewall: Install ultra-filtration systems at your water entry point to block Legionella from entering your building. This will also reduce the nutrients that feed biofilm growth, keeping your water system cleaner and safer.

5. Apply Shock Treatment or Use Chemical Solutions: Use a shock treatment with water above 70°C or a high-dose chemical oxidizer to temporarily reduce Legionella growth. Always follow shock treatment with ongoing control measures. Start with an ultra-filtration system to prevent new bacteria and nutrients from entering your system.

6. Consider Long-Term Chemical Treatments: Apply continuous low-dose chemical treatments using solutions like monochloramine (a mix of chlorine and ammonia) or chlorine dioxide. Monochloramine is particularly effective in penetrating biofilms and controlling bacterial growth long-term.

7. Use Copper-Silver Ionization for Extra Protection: Introduce trace amounts of copper and silver ions into your water system. These metals act as natural biocides, proven effective in controlling Legionella. However, ensure that water chemistry and system design are suitable for this treatment.

Conclusion:

Act Now and Protect Your Facility Preventing Legionella requires a comprehensive, multi-step approach. System design, regular flushing, shock treatments, and chemical interventions are all critical. As a facility operator, you must take charge to prevent Legionella from posing a risk to public health. To ensure your water system is protected, work with experts. Water Control Corporation can assist with selecting the best filtration, shock treatment, and ongoing control measures.

Don’t wait—take action today to safeguard your building and the people in it.

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