Legionella Water Testing Requirements

Identify whether they are likely to create a risk from exposure to legionella and whether.

Legionella water testing requirements.

Water management sampling. Legionella can adversely impact public health. Developing and maintaining a water management program is a multi step process that requires continuous review. When inhaled small water droplets or mist that contains legionella can cause infection in people which can result in two.

Centers for medicare medicaid services. 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. There are sources of nutrients such as rust sludge scale organic matter and biofilms. 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.

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. The following resources may be useful when trying to understand what the. Healthcare specific guidelines and requirements. Requirement to reduce legionella risk in healthcare facility water systems to prevent cases and outbreaks of legionnaires disease pdf icon 4 pages external icon.

The water temperature in all or some parts of the system is between 20 45 c. What is a water management program. The type of test required will depend on the nature of the water of the system. Legionella risk assessment legal requirements.

If a program team decides to test for legionella in their water systems the standard does not make recommendations regarding. Cdc estimates that 8 000 to 18 000 people are hospitalized with legionnaires disease each year in the u s. Down load our legionella legal obligations information document for more information. The water management program team should regularly monitor water quality parameters such as disinfectant and temperature levels.

Legionella is a bacteria that is found naturally in freshwater sources. Who can be appointed to test or monitor legionella. Legionella bacteria can be found throughout the world mostly in aquatic and moist environments e g lakes rivers ground water and soil. In june 2017 the centers for medicare medicaid services cms released a survey and certification memo pdf icon 4 pages external icon stating that healthcare facilities should develop and adhere to ashrae compliant water management programs to reduce the risk for legionella and other pathogens in their water systems.

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. Water is stored or re circulated as part of your system.