Legionella in Water: Risks, Prevention, and Control | BLOG Nordic Tec

Legionella in water is becoming an increasingly important issue, especially in the context of public health. This bacterium, naturally present in aquatic environments, can pose a serious threat in places such as hospitals, hotels, or nursing homes, where water is often stored or intensively used. It is crucial to understand the conditions that favor the multiplication of Legionella and to implement effective preventive measures. This is not only a matter of awareness but also of responsible approach.

Conditions Favoring the Development of Legionella

Water, while essential for life, can become a source of danger if not properly controlled. Legionella thrives best in temperatures between 20 and 50°C, and the presence of biofilm (what biofilm is will be explained later in this article) in water systems further promotes its growth. Therefore, the following are essential:

• Regular water quality testing.
• The use of effective disinfection methods, such as chlorination or thermal cleaning of systems.
• Consistency and commitment to preventive actions.

These measures can significantly reduce the risk of infection but require consistency and proper management. Fortunately, for those living within the reach of municipal water networks, it can be assumed that the water meets basic quality standards (this is at least the legal obligation of public water suppliers).

✅☑️ However, the problem may also arise in our domestic hot water tanks and installations.

Modern Technologies in the Fight Against Legionella

Preventing and combating Legionella requires a certain understanding of the biology of this bacterium, as well as the implementation of modern technologies. The most effective solutions include:

• UV lamps for water – effectively eliminating bacteria.
• Reverse osmosis systems – removing contaminants from water, at least to some extent.
• Regular monitoring of water systems – allowing for the quick detection of potential threats.

Equally important is compliance with applicable legal standards and the education of personnel responsible for water management (if we are talking about a company). Awareness and knowledge increase the effectiveness of preventive actions, and without them, even the best technologies may prove insufficient.

What is Legionella?

Legionella is a type of bacterium that can pose a serious health threat. Naturally present in aquatic environments, their presence in plumbing systems, such as building water systems, can lead to dangerous infections. Understanding what Legionella is, is key to effectively preventing its spread and protecting everyone’s health.

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Characteristics of Legionella pneumophila bacteria

Legionella pneumophila, the most commonly encountered species of this bacterium, is responsible for the majority of legionellosis cases. The bacterium thrives best in aquatic environments, particularly at temperatures between 25 and 45°C. This is why water systems, such as tanks, pipelines, or building installations, become ideal places for its proliferation. As a pathogen, Legionella pneumophila can cause serious diseases, and its presence in water poses a real threat to human health.
Where is Legionella found?

Legionella bacteria most commonly develop in water systems, such as plumbing installations in buildings. Areas where water remains stagnant are particularly dangerous, as these conditions provide an ideal environment for the bacteria to multiply. Understanding where Legionella occurs enables the implementation of effective preventive measures that minimize the risk of infection and help protect public health.

✅☑️ In the context of single-family homes, domestic hot water tanks (storage tanks) are a potential site for Legionella growth.

Diseases caused by Legionella

Legionella pneumophila is a bacterium that can significantly impact the health of the respiratory system. It causes various infections, including legionellosis, whose symptoms and progression can be extremely diverse. Proper diagnosis requires specialist knowledge and appropriate testing.

Legionellosis occurs in two main forms:

• Legionnaires' disease – severe pneumonia.
• Pontiac fever – a milder form of infection.

Both diseases result from infection with Legionella pneumophila, which thrives in water systems, especially where water temperatures favor its growth. These conditions should not be underestimated.

Legionellosis: symptoms and progression

Legionellosis, caused by Legionella pneumophila, can manifest in various forms depending on the severity of the infection. Symptoms are highly diverse, which unfortunately often complicates its prompt diagnosis. The disease most commonly affects the respiratory system, causing:

• fever,
• cough,
• in more severe cases – pneumonia.

The course of legionellosis can be mild, resembling a common flu. However, there are cases where the infection becomes severe enough to require hospitalization. Early detection and appropriate treatment are crucial as they help prevent complications and increase the chances of full recovery. Therefore, knowledge of this disease’s symptoms is fundamental to effectively protecting public health and individual patients.

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Legionnaires' disease – a severe form of infection

Legionnaires' disease is the most advanced and dangerous form of infection caused by Legionella pneumophila bacteria. According to the Ministry of Health, 5 to 15% of infections are fatal. Its main symptom is pneumonia, accompanied by high fever, persistent cough, and shortness of breath (these symptoms should be particularly noted).

This condition requires immediate medical intervention. Individuals with weakened immune systems are especially at risk, for whom the disease can pose a serious threat.

The course of Legionnaires' disease is often rapid, and its symptoms frequently resemble other types of pneumonia. Unfortunately, this can lead to delays in diagnosis. Therefore, awareness of this disease and its symptoms is crucial. Prompt recognition and treatment significantly improve patient outcomes.

Risk factors in water installations

Water systems in buildings, such as water distribution installations, often represent a significant risk factor for legionellosis. Legionella pneumophila thrives especially in areas where water remains stagnant, creating ideal conditions for bacterial proliferation. Additional factors increasing the risk include:

• relatively high water temperature, not exceeding 50-60°C,
• the presence of mineral deposits,
• the formation of biofilm.

To effectively reduce the risk of bacterial growth, regular monitoring and maintenance of water systems are essential. Key actions include:

• ensuring proper water flow,
• using disinfection methods such as:
  • thermal disinfection (by heating the water),
  • chemical disinfection (using disinfectants).

These measures can significantly reduce the risk of infection, protecting the health of building users.

Conditions favoring the growth of Legionella

Legionella pneumophila – the bacterium responsible for serious respiratory diseases – grows only under specific conditions that promote its proliferation. Understanding these factors is the key to effectively preventing its spread in water systems, such as sanitary or air conditioning installations. Sounds serious? Don't worry, it will all become clear in a moment!

Water temperature and bacterial growth

Water temperature plays a decisive role in the development of Legionella. These bacteria thrive best in the range of 25 to 45°C. Therefore, water systems that maintain water within this range are particularly vulnerable. Examples of such places include:

• hotel showers,
• swimming pools,
• installations in public utility buildings.

In these locations, water often reaches temperatures conducive to bacterial growth, increasing the risk of infection. However, there is good news – water heated above 65-70°C effectively eliminates the bacteria. Regular heating to such temperatures is a simple yet effective way to reduce the risk of infection. It's worth keeping that in mind, isn't it?

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Biofilm and its role in protecting bacteria

Biofilm – a thin, almost invisible layer of microorganisms – settles on the surfaces of water installations. It can be compared to a protective shield that safeguards Legionella bacteria from adverse conditions. Within the structure of the biofilm, bacteria can survive even during chemical disinfection that would normally be lethal to them.

Imagine biofilm as a fortress where Legionella finds refuge. This is why it is essential to use methods that not only eliminate bacteria but also effectively remove biofilm. The most effective measures include:

• mechanical cleaning of pipes,
• the use of specialized chemical agents.

The correlation between limescale, biofilm, and harmful bacterial flora in water

Certain devices containing silver and galvanic cells (as surfaces inhospitable to bacteria) show some effectiveness in combating biofilm and bacterial colonies in general by creating unfavorable living conditions. These include, for example, galvanic filters for hard water like IPSE filters. However, these devices are primarily designed to combat hard water, and their antibacterial effect is more of a positive side effect. Their role in combating bacteria can only be considered auxiliary and, unfortunately, not decisive – they are certainly not as effective as in preventing limescale formation in water systems. Preventing limescale buildup is, however, in itself a form of preventing the creation of favorable living and breeding conditions for bacteria. Smooth, sediment-free surfaces in pipes and water tanks are far less hospitable to Legionella or E. coli than surfaces covered with limescale and deposits.

Sediments and water stagnation in installations

Sediments such as limescale, rust, or other contaminants are another issue that promotes the proliferation of Legionella. They not only hinder effective disinfection but also create ideal conditions for bacteria. Imagine pipes full of deposits – disinfectants may not reach all corners, leaving bacteria untouched.

What’s worse, water stagnation, meaning prolonged standing of water in installations, especially in tanks, combined with deposits, further increases the risk. How to prevent this? Here are the key actions:

• regular maintenance of installations,
• flushing pipes,
• removing sediments.

These simple but highly effective steps ensure safety for users. Simple, isn’t it?

Preventing Legionella infections

✅☑️ Preventing Legionella infections is a key element of public health protection, especially in places where water plays a significant role in daily operations. Legionella pneumophila, the bacterium responsible for severe respiratory diseases, thrives in specific conditions that can be effectively controlled. How to do this? Through proper water system management. Regular inspections, disinfection, and monitoring of installations are actions that minimize the risk of bacterial spread, protecting users' health. Simple yet essential.

Regular water testing for bacteria

Systematic water testing for Legionella is the foundation of prevention. In places such as hospitals, hotels, or nursing homes, where the risk of infection is particularly high, water quality control becomes even more critical. Regular monitoring of water installations allows for the early detection of Legionella pneumophila and preventive actions to be taken before the bacteria can spread.

• Tests should be conducted according to expert recommendations.
• The frequency of tests should be adjusted to the specifics of a given facility – for example, in hospitals, inspections may be more frequent.
• Integrating water quality control into facility management is key to maintaining a high level of safety.

Without regular testing, effective health protection is hard to achieve. It is a fundamental step in minimizing the risk of infections.

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Thermal and chemical disinfection

Thermal and chemical disinfection are two proven methods for combating Legionella in water systems:

• Thermal disinfection: This involves heating water to a temperature above 70°C for at least 5 minutes. It effectively destroys bacteria and is suitable for installations where water temperature can be quickly raised, such as domestic hot water systems.
• Chemical disinfection: This uses specialized chemical agents that effectively eliminate Legionella. The choice of product depends on the specific water system and the level of contamination.

In large industrial installations, a combination of chemical and thermal methods is often used to achieve maximum effectiveness. Regular use of both disinfection methods is not only a way to minimize the risk of bacterial growth but also a guarantee of safety for users.

In large public buildings, it is advisable to install industrial-sized UV lamps, which are quite effective in such cases.

The role of chlorine dioxide, silver, and copper ions

Chlorine dioxide, silver ions, and copper ions are indispensable tools in the fight against Legionella:

• Chlorine dioxide: Destroys biofilms – structures that provide an ideal environment for the growth of Legionella pneumophila. It is particularly effective in systems where traditional biofilm removal methods fail.
• Silver and copper ions: Exhibit toxic effects on microorganisms, making them highly effective in combating bacteria.

These chemical methods are often combined with other disinfection techniques to create a comprehensive strategy for protection against Legionella. For example, in large public buildings such as hotels or shopping centers, the combination of chlorine dioxide with silver and copper ions can provide long-term protection. However, the key is to appropriately select and apply these agents – this forms the basis of effective prevention and public health protection.

UV lamps and their application against Legionella bacteria

UV lamps for water are advanced devices that use ultraviolet radiation to neutralize Legionella bacteria in flowing water. Their effectiveness is particularly evident in smaller, localized systems where water has direct contact with UV rays. For this reason, they are used in places with the highest hygiene standards, such as hospitals, hotels, or factories.

This technology combines simplicity with high efficiency. However, UV bactericidal lamps have specific limitations – they work on a flow basis. In large water systems, bacterial colonies can exist outside the water flow, allowing bacteria to grow "behind" the UV lamp. Therefore, it is sometimes necessary to combine UV filters with chemical flushing of the installation. This is a common issue in large installations and also occurs with the well-known E. coli bacteria. It is crucial to adapt this technology to the specifics of the given system, though currently, nothing more effective than UV lamps has been developed in this area.

Will UV lamps become a standard in Legionella prevention in the future, or will they remain just one element of more complex water protection systems? Time will tell.

UV filters with bactericidal UVC lamps in single-family homes

UV water filters based on UVC lamps are very effective in single-family homes, for example, against Escherichia coli strains. They are equally effective and deadly for other bacteria; however, the problem with Legionella is that it often develops in hot water tanks, while UV filters are usually installed at the water entry point to the house. If the system is extensive and bacterial colonies develop beyond the UV filter, they are not subjected to sterilization. In such cases, either the lamp should be positioned to cover the water in the hot water tank (which is often inconvenient and impractical), or an alternative solution should be sought.

In practice, systems that automatically heat water to 65°C in tanks on a regular basis (e.g., once a week) are effective and generally solve the Legionella problem, at least in the tank.

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Reverse osmosis systems and water filters

Reverse osmosis systems and water filters are advanced technologies that support the elimination of Legionella from water. Reverse osmosis operates on the principle of precise filtration, removing not only Legionella pneumophila bacteria but also other contaminants. As a result, water becomes safe for consumption and for use in industrial or commercial installations. This solution combines efficiency with versatility.

Water filters, although simpler in construction, also play a significant role in reducing contaminants that facilitate the growth of Legionella bacteria. Combined with technologies such as reverse osmosis, their effectiveness increases significantly.

Will the future bring even more advanced solutions to enhance the safety of water systems? This question remains open. However, one thing is certain – the development of water filtration technology is not slowing down, and innovations in this field are inevitable.

Legionella in public utility buildings

Hospitals, hotels, and nursing homes are places where Legionella in water installations poses a serious health risk. Why? The infrastructure of these facilities often fosters the growth of Legionella pneumophila bacteria. High water temperatures, stagnation in pipes, and the presence of biofilm in water systems create ideal conditions for microbial growth. The result? Increased risk of infection in places such as pools, saunas, and other facilities that use water intensively.

To counteract this, regular water quality monitoring and effective disinfection methods are essential. In facilities where people with weakened immune systems reside – such as hospital patients or nursing home residents – implementing modern technologies and adhering to strict sanitary standards is crucial. Only such actions can effectively limit bacterial growth and ensure safety for all users.

Risk in hospitals, hotels, and nursing homes

Hospitals, hotels, and nursing homes are places where the risk of Legionella infection is particularly high. Why? The extensive water systems characteristic of such facilities foster bacterial growth, increasing the risk of waterborne infections. Additionally, the nature of these locations means the bacteria can easily spread, posing a serious health threat.

• Hospitals: Patients are exceptionally susceptible to infections, making water quality control an absolute priority.
• Hotels: High guest turnover and water stagnation in installations can lead to serious problems, requiring regular inspections and system maintenance.
• Nursing homes: Elderly individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable, making water quality management essential for protecting their health.

Other methods of combating bacteria in installations

Effective Legionella elimination requires the use of proven methods that directly address the source of the problem. Below are two commonly used techniques:

• Chlorine dioxide: This substance effectively removes biofilms – protective layers where bacteria find ideal conditions for growth. Removing biofilms is a critical step, as they constitute the main barrier in the fight against Legionella.
• Thermal disinfection: This involves heating water to a temperature exceeding 70°C for at least 5 minutes. Such high temperatures effectively kill bacteria.

The choice of technique depends on the specifics of the water system and the level of contamination. Both methods form the foundation of Legionella infection prevention.

How often should water testing be performed?

Systematic water quality testing is an absolute necessity in monitoring the presence of Legionella pneumophila in water installations. It is particularly important in places such as:

• hospitals,
• hotels,
• nursing homes.

In these facilities, the risk of infection is significantly higher. Regular inspections allow for the early detection and elimination of potential threats, greatly enhancing user safety.

The frequency of testing should be tailored to the specifics of the facility and the characteristics of the water systems, following expert recommendations. Regular water quality monitoring is an integral part of water system management. It is also worth considering the implementation of modern technologies that, in the future, could further streamline the fight against Legionella and raise water safety standards.