Legionella control
How to get rid of Legionella – for good
You rarely think about Legionella until you have a problem. Then, it is difficult to get rid of. We have systems that both eliminate Legionella and save energy with the water treatment.
Legionella is an organism that naturally lives in water and soil. It has the ability to grow and multiply in the lungs, causing severe illness (Legionnaires’ disease) and death in humans. The bacteria can also cause a milder illness (Pontiac fever) which presents with more flu-like symptoms. Infection spreads by inhaling small water droplets (aerosols) containing the bacteria, often disseminated through water pipes, ventilation, or air conditioning systems.
Temperatures Legionella thrives in
The common term for the mentioned diseases is legionellosis. Legionella bacteria are naturally found in surface water and soil and enter buildings through the main water intake. The bacteria become dangerous only when they are allowed to grow and multiply. Legionella thrives in biofilm covered pipelines and in areas with stagnant water at temperatures between 20 and 50 °C.
Legionella can live in both hot and cold water
In cases of Legionella, it is important to identify where the bacteria are located. The bacteria may not always establish themselves in hot water; they can also thrive in cold water that has been stagnant in pipes and reached the same temperature as the surroundings. Water samples will indicate where the bacteria are present. We can assist you with water sampling, conduct risk assessments, and create an action plan for handling deviations with recommended measures. Additionally, we provide products for permanent treatment.
Clean the facility for Legionella
Legionella can be very difficult to combat. The entire water system must be cleaned and treated once the problem has occurred. With our dosing system, Apurgo Clean, we recommend first performing a shock cleaning to remove Legionella before implementing effective solutions for permanent treatment. Apurgo Clean can also be used as a permanent solution by installing the system on the main water intake with a pump that dispenses the chemical according to the building’s water consumption.
A permanent solution that also saves energy
Our second system for legionella treatment, Apurgo M3, both prevents and kills Legionella in the facility. The system also allows for energy savings with the water treatment by lowering the temperature of the domestic water. With Apurgo M3, you can reduce the temperature from 70 °C to 50 °C without compromising bacterial treatment. In addition to saving a lot of energy, you also avoid expensive maintenance tasks such as hot water flushing, which not only takes many working hours but also consumes a lot of water.”
Do you suspect Legionella in your facility?
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
-
01Find out where the bacteria are located
To determine where Legionella is present in your facility, you must take water samples from both the hot and cold water systems. Many people mistakenly believe that Legionella is only found in hot water pipes. To take water samples, you need to send water from your tap to an approved laboratory for analysis. We can provide training in water sampling and assist in sending the samples for analysis.
-
02Conduct a risk assessment
In order to carry out a risk assessment of the building and its installations, you need to map the installations in the cold and hot water systems, measure temperatures in boilers, tap points, and circulation lines, and assess the likelihood of bacterial growth. Additionally, you must evaluate the overall risk in the building to determine if your routines for monitoring Legionella are adequate. We conduct risk assessments for you and create an action plan for handling deviations.
-
03Initiate action
To eliminate Legionella, you need to flush the entire facility with hot water and disinfect water outlets, such as shower heads. ApurgoClean cleans and disinfects the entire water system once the issue has been resolved.
-
04Prevent Legionella
To ensure you don’t encounter the same problem again, prevention is crucial. With a water treatment system, either permanent or mobile, you can ensure timely cleaning when necessary. Opt for Apurgo M3, a permanent water treatment system, which guarantees safe water consistently. Additionally, you’ll be able to lower the temperature of the tap water, saving both water and electricity.
