Any freshwater system in a building can harbor dangerous bacteria. If the building’s owners or managers have a regular risk assessment conducted they can detect this early and avoid an outbreak. Legionella risk assessments not only evaluate the current state of bacteria in the water, but they also provide valuable insight into problematic areas in the ventilation or water system, repairs that may need to be made, and any existing Legionella that could pose a health risk to humans.
Knowing The Proper Procedure
Legionella risk assessments are best conducted with the help of an experienced water treatment expert who has the knowledge, tools, and supplies needed to ensure all of the risks are found and that testing is thorough and comprehensive. Legionella risk assessments are important for the health and safety of any individuals who spend time in these areas; ensuring that they are properly assessed is critical to creating a comprehensive Legionella strategy.
Have A Legionella Risk Assessment In Place Beforehand
To ensure the highest level of safety in a building, regular Legionella risk assessments are vital. Working with a professional to establish a strategy for controlling Legionella before it becomes an issue can save not only time but also money, while preserving the health of everyone who comes into contact with water vapors produced by a building’s HVAC system, cooling towers, and other features.
Actively Modify To Meet Your Needs
Each water system is unique, not only because of the fact that it is structured and designed to fulfill a specific building’s needs but also as a result of the variable quality of the water. Some facilities rely on well water, while others utilize surface water, and still others must rely on water provided by certain water companies, who may not treat the water the way that the building requires. Because of all of these variables and others such as construction, actively modifying a Legionella strategy is an important task that needs to be completed regularly.
The Importance Of Legionella Risk Assessments
Legionella risk assessments are critical to both the health of a facility’s water and ventilation systems and the health of every person who comes near the building. Legionella bacteria can thrive in any freshwater source, and the microorganism can come into contact with humans through water vapor or aerosolized water that reaches a human’s mucous membranes predominantly inhaled into the lungs.
Once incubating in the body, the Legionella bacteria can create a number of health problems. The most minor of these is Pontiac fever, which presents as a flu-like illness that shares many of the flu’s symptoms: muscle aches, nausea, fatigue, and chills. Pontiac fever typically resolves on its own.
However, the Legionella bacteria can also cause a much more serious illness. Legionnaires’ disease, which also arises from contact with Legionella, causes severe lung inflammation and pneumonia that can prove fatal in as many as one in ten individuals who contract the disease.
For this reason, maintaining a regular schedule of Legionella risk assessments is critical. The health and safety of anyone who spends time near or in the building where water vapor may be present is at risk if Legionella is allowed to proliferate in the system.
Prevents Spread Of Legionella Bacteria
Legionella risk assessments prevent the spread of Legionella bacteria by creating awareness of where and how it could affect humans. Evaluating the water system for areas where the bacteria can populate is critical to its success.. Dead legs, where water does not flow, as well as areas where the temperature is too hot or too cold, can provide the perfect breeding ground for Legionella. A risk assessment not only identifies these problematic areas but also indicates how to fix them and avoid the issue in the future.
Keeps Water System Running Properly
Due to the diagnostic nature of Legionella risk assessments, they are a helpful tool in keeping water systems operating without concern of contamination Legionella can proliferate in damaged or inadequately maintained areas, many problems with the system can be identified and repaired before they become problematic.
Ensures Legionella Compliance
Only New York and New York City have regulations requiring businesses to complete a Legionella assessment, typically once per year or once every second year. Legionella risk assessments prepare businesses to address issues before their government-required examination so that they can simultaneously keep their water safe and maintain compliance.
Speak To A Legionella Risk Assessment Expert
Whether you would like to establish a Legionella strategy before any issues arise or you believe that you may already have Legionella in your water system, the best time to reach out for an assessment is now. The experts at Tower Water would be happy to meet with you to create a personalized strategy for preventing the growth of this potentially dangerous bacteria. Reach out to schedule an appointment.