Risk Assessments

Water treatment Legionella risk assessments are a process of identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing the risks of Legionella growth and spread in a water system. It is an important tool for preventing Legionnaires’ disease, a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria.

Legionella bacteria are found naturally in freshwater environments, but they can grow and spread in human-made water systems, such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers, hot tubs, and spas. They can also be found in domestic hot water systems, particularly those with complex plumbing systems or that are not well-maintained.

Legionnaires’ disease is most commonly transmitted through inhalation of aerosolized water droplets containing Legionella bacteria. This can happen when people breathe in mist or spray from a contaminated water source. Legionnaires’ disease can also be contracted through aspiration of contaminated water into the lungs.

Water treatment Legionella risk assessments should be performed by a qualified and experienced professional. The risk assessments should include a review of the water system design and operation, as well as an inspection of the water system components. The risk assessor should also consider the following factors:

The presence of Legionella bacteria in the water system
The temperature of the water
The presence of stagnant water
The presence of scale and biofilm in the water system
The presence of aerosols
The presence of susceptible individuals

Once the Legionella risk assessments are complete, the risk assessor will develop a Legionella risk management plan. The risk management plan should outline the steps that need to be taken to reduce the risk of Legionella growth and spread in the water system. These steps may include:

Water treatment, such as disinfection
Water system maintenance, such as flushing and cleaning
Water temperature control
Air quality control
Employee training

Water treatment Legionella risk assessments are an important tool for preventing Legionnaires’ disease. By identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing the risks of Legionella growth and spread, water treatment Legionella risk assessment can help facilities owners and operators develop and implement effective Legionella risk management plans.

In addition to the above, here are some specific examples of how water treatment Legionella risk assessment can be used:

In a healthcare facility: A water treatment Legionella risk assessment can be used to identify high-risk areas for Legionella growth and spread, such as the intensive care unit and the respiratory ward. This information can then be used to develop and implement targeted Legionella risk management measures in these areas.
In a hotel: A water treatment Legionella risk assessment can be used to identify Legionella risks in the hotel’s cooling tower, hot tubs, and spas. This information can then be used to develop and implement a Legionella risk management plan for these systems.
In a commercial building: A water treatment Legionella risk assessment can be used to identify Legionella risks in the building’s domestic hot water system. This information can then be used to develop and implement a Legionella risk management plan for the system.

Water treatment Legionella risk assessment is an important tool for preventing Legionnaires’ disease in a variety of settings. By identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing the risks of Legionella growth and spread, water treatment Legionella risk assessment can help facilities owners and operators develop and implement effective Legionella risk management plans. Contact us if you need a risk assessment performed today!