Legionella Water Testing Requirements

What is a water management program.

Legionella water testing requirements.

Cdc estimates that 8 000 to 18 000 people are hospitalized with legionnaires disease each year in the u s. Identify whether they are likely to create a risk from exposure to legionella and whether. When inhaled small water droplets or mist that contains legionella can cause infection in people which can result in two. Water management programs identify hazardous conditions and take steps to minimize the growth and spread of legionella and other waterborne pathogens in building water systems.

Centers for medicare medicaid services. Water management sampling. Requirement to reduce legionella risk in healthcare facility water systems to prevent cases and outbreaks of legionnaires disease pdf icon 4 pages external icon. Legionella is a bacteria that is found naturally in freshwater sources.

Water is stored or re circulated as part of your system. By monitoring these parameters the team can ensure that building water systems are operating in a way to minimize hazardous conditions that could encourage legionella and other waterborne pathogens to grow. Legionella bacteria can be found throughout the world mostly in aquatic and moist environments e g lakes rivers ground water and soil. Ashrae 188 says that members of the water management team can consider whether testing should be performed and if performed that the team should determine the frequency of locations for and plans for the response to results of testing.

There are sources of nutrients such as rust sludge scale organic matter and biofilms. The water temperature in all or some parts of the system is between 20 45 c. The water management program team should regularly monitor water quality parameters such as disinfectant and temperature levels. Who can be appointed to test or monitor legionella.

Healthcare specific guidelines and requirements. If a program team decides to test for legionella in their water systems the standard does not make recommendations regarding. Legionella can adversely impact public health. Down load our legionella legal obligations information document for more information.

Developing and maintaining a water management program is a multi step process that requires continuous review. The type of test required will depend on the nature of the water of the system. Legionella risk assessment legal requirements explained there is a legal obligation to carry out a legionella risk assessment of the water services in any work place or business connected premise. Legionella can grow and spread in artificial and human made water systems such as hot tubs cooling towers hot water tanks decorative fountains and large buildings with complex water systems.

Legionella risk assessment legal requirements. Testing of water quality may be carried out by a service provider such as a water treatment company or consultant or by the operator provided they are trained to do so and are properly supervised.