Taking steps to prevent water-borne diseases

The issue of water quality and the prevention of water-borne diseases such as Legionellahas risen up the agenda in recent years, particularly within environments where there are vulnerable people, such as hospitals and residential care homes. Elderly people and those in poor health are particularly susceptible to Legionella, and so it is crucial that care home providers take steps to prevent the bacteria developing within building services systems. 

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the bacterium Legionella, which has always existed in water and remains inert at temperatures below 25˚C. It proliferates in water circuits at temperatures between 25˚C and 45˚C, meaning that sanitary hot water and air conditioning circuits are most at risk from contamination. 

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by inhalation and cannot be contracted from ingestion. Infection occurs when water mists containing the Legionellabacteria are inhaled. These water mists can occur anywhere where water is taken from pipework systems, with showers, cooling towers, spas, high pressure washers and humidifiers being among the most high risk systems to spread the disease.