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As part of the new regulations set to take effect on July 12, 2024, Ohio Residential Care Facilities (RCFs) must now implement a mandatory water management program designed to manage the risk of waterborne pathogens, including Legionella. This update is outlined in Rule 3701-16-12, Section D of the Ohio Administrative Code.

Legionella, a type of bacteria, can thrive in man-made water systems, posing a serious health threat. It causes Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia, and Pontiac fever, a flu-like illness. Fortunately, proactive maintenance strategies can significantly reduce the risk of Legionella growth in your water supply. This message will explore preventative maintenance practices and the crucial water quality parameters to monitor for optimal legionella control.

Learn how to prevent Legionella growth in cooling towers, hot water systems, and more. Discover legionella control, disinfection strategies, and best practices to keep your water systems safe.

Legionella sample results, ranging from "non-detectable" to "high," play a pivotal role in gauging the extent of Legionella growth, a key factor in the chain leading to Legionnaires' disease. The ultimate objective is to curtail the potential for bacterial amplification. While achieving 100% non-detectable samples may not be imperative, understanding and interpreting these levels are paramount.

Cooling towers are one of the most common places where Legionella can grow, as they provide the warm, moist environment that the bacteria needs to thrive. There are a number of different treatments that can be used to control Legionella in cooling tower water covered in our article.

The AAMI ST standard (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation Sterilization) plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality of water used in the processing of medical devices. As the medical industry continues to advance, it becomes increasingly important to adhere to these standards to guarantee the safety and effectiveness of medical instruments.