Whether you are a small or big business owner or have a simple or complex building water system, it is critical to ensure that Legionella bacteria are not given an opportunity to spread and multiply as there are serious consequences.
Though large water systems tend to be complicated and almost always require professionals to clean and maintain, even smaller water systems can be damaged by Legionella bacteria if proper steps for water treatment in Australia are not implemented. As such, there are many things you can do to prevent the growth of hazardous water-borne bacteria to keep people safe from dangers to health like Legionnaire’s disease.
Legionnaires disease
Legionella bacteria are found typically in freshwater environments. They become a health concern when they grow and spread in man-made systems of water. Legionella bacteria can cause a serious kind of pneumonia (lung infection) called Legionnaire’s disease.
Certain systems of water in buildings pose a higher risk of growth of Legionella compared to others and spread more. Water management programs to contain Legionella with the help of water treatment providers are the industry norm for several buildings in Australia.
Starting Legionella control
The process of dealing with risks of Legionella in your water systems must always begin with risk assessment. A risk assessment for Legionella can highlight any potential dangers and guide you on the steps to be taken to reduce any such risks so as to ensure the safety of people.
Get an idea of your water system
For better knowledge of your water system and how to maintain it, you must have a complete schematic plan of the system, including every feature like every pipe and every outlet. Such a schematic plan simply represents the total water system and serves as a blueprint for helping you to spot areas where risks of Legionella are more severe than others. For instance, the schematic plan may indicate dead legs of pipes that can lead to stagnating water and the growth of bacteria.
Reducing risks of Legionella
After identifying the risks of Legionella, steps can be taken to minimize and get rid of risks in problem areas.
It is important to remove pipes that are no longer in use because they encourage stagnation of water and biofilm growth which can form on surfaces within the system of water. Biofilms are breeding ground for bacteria and should be avoided.
Likewise, rarely used water outlets are more likely to feature stagnant water, which will remain within the system and cause problems.
To deal with issues linked to the low flow of water or even stagnation, it is good to conduct regular flushing. Flushing can get rid of issues of stagnant water, particularly if it is incorporated into the Legionella maintenance and control plan.
Consult professionals
You must ensure that the professionals you have hired for implementing Legionella management are the right ones for such a plan.
The person responsible for Legionella risk management and control should be competent and capable of doing the job as he has a critical role to play. Competence for the proper conduct of the job needs a mix of knowledge and experience along with training in refresher courses.
Ensure the right water temperature
Controlling the right water temperature in the water system also has a vital role to play in combating Legionella. The rule of thumb is to keep cold water at less than 20 degrees Celsius and hot water above 50 degrees C. This ensures that water temperature is not favourable for the growth and spread of Legionella.
Based on water usage and kind of building, control of water temperature may also involve the installation of TMVs (Thermostatic Mixing Valves) to ensure that water is not excessively hot in showers and taps. For instance, in the case of old age homes, inmates may be at greater risk of scalding through hot water use.
Good, regular program for maintaining, cleaning, and disinfecting
Such a program by water treatment providers must cover the total water system along with regular treatment to maintain the quality of water. Disinfection keeps Legionella bacteria levels at a minimum, preventing it from multiplying and spreading all through the system.
This treatment also aids in minimizing the quantum of biofilm all through, besides getting rid of any disused outlets or dead legs in piping. Many times, water filtration systems reduce the risk of Legionella contamination. These help to filter any bacteria, biofilm, or debris that comes with water from external sources.
Chemical treatments
Chemical treatments are highly recommended for combating Legionella. Some of the chemicals used include:
● Corrosion inhibitors
Corrosion inhibitors like organic, inorganic, or non-phosphate chemicals are added to the water to prevent lime scale deposits and corrosion that can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
● Biocides
Such treatment helps to kill harmful microbes before they become health hazards.
● Dispersant
Such treatment helps to break down sludge and other dirt for penetrating and cleaning deposits in the water.
● Oxidation
This treatment disinfects and de-oxidizes systems of water to keep them sanitary and clean.
In summary, these are some tips for dealing with Legionella bacteria in water systems. Above all, you must carry out regular testing of water quality to check efficiency of professional interventions of water treatment in Australia. It is an excellent idea to hire an external company to conduct Legionella testing.
