Close-up of dark gray water splashing against a vibrant blue background, capturing the dynamic motion and droplets frozen in mid-air, reminiscent of battling natures elements like legionnaires disease.

Facility Manager Educational Series: Module 2

This is the second installment in our 12-part Water Treatment for Facility Managers Educational Series. If you missed Module 1: The Importance of Water, you can jump to it here.

Legionella and Legionnaires Disease, Waterborne Illnesses

MODULE 2: Waterborne Illnesses

In this module, we discuss waterborne diseases, what they are and how Legionnaire’s Disease specifically affects our water supply and lives.

The underlying threat to our health

One of the main reasons proper water treatment is so important is the way it can affect our health. The CDC estimates that 7.2 million people in the US get sick every year from 17 different waterborne illnesses. These pathogens lead to respiratory issues, hospitalization, and gastrointestinal distress. The good news is that several of these can be prevented with proper water quality and control.

What are waterborne diseases?

Waterborne pathogens in our water Waterborne diseases are sicknesses caused by tiny organisms that are found in drinking contaminated water or coming into contact with fecal matter. There are several main waterborne illnesses you’ve likely heard about, each with its own symptoms, root causes, and adverse effects.

  • Legionnaire’s Disease
  • Typhoid Fever
  • Cholera
  • Giardia
  • Dysentery
  • Escherichia Coli (E. coli)
  • Hepatitis A
  • Salmonella

Luckily in the last decade through improved sanitation practices, hygiene, and access to safe water, several of the main diseases have been eliminated or are readily treatable.

We’ll focus on the biggest one for you, facility managers, which is Legionella. But for more information on the other seven listed above LifeWater’s research.

Legionella testing

Legionnaire’s Disease

What is Legionella?

Legionella is a naturally occurring bacteria found in freshwater habitats. While in lakes in streams it can be innocuous, it is when it begins to grow in human-made water systems that it can become a health concern and lead to a severe lung infection called Legionnaires disease or a more flu-like Pontiac fever.

How it Spreads to Humans

Boy drinking from water fountain When water storage systems are not properly maintained bacteria tend to increase in number in the water supply. From there water droplets are aerosolized and then inhaled by humans causing extreme lung infections and inflammation. Outbreaks are more common in large and complex cooling systems like those in hospitals, hotels, and cruise ships. It is less likely that humans get it from person-to-person transmission or become sick from drinking water containing Legionella.

Symptoms and Complications

Symptoms can come on 2-10 days after exposure. The shortlist includes fever, cough, chills, or muscle aches. People most at risk are those with weakened immune systems, current or former smokers, have lung conditions, and are over 50. The ensuing complications lead to respiratory failure, septic shock, and acute kidney failure.

Legionella in Water

Legionella may be found in showerheads As we noted earlier, this form of legionella is actually present and often harmless in free-flowing bodies of water and soil. However, because we tend to capture and hold water for drinking and everyday use, residential features like water tanks, showerheads, faucets, pools, and hot tubs, can become potential hotspots for bacteria growth. Fortunately, air conditioners are not a source because they do not rely on water for transmission. The origin of outbreaks at the commercial level center around the distribution systems of large buildings via their plumbing, humidifiers, mist machines, and cooling towers.

Ripe Conditions

Certain criteria have been found to heighten the growth of Legionella: Ripe conditions for legionella outbreaks include high temperatures

  • Sediment build-up: The presence of sludge, scale, and organic matter leads to the creation of a biofilm.
  • Wide temperature Ranges: Without adequate biocontrol, Legionella can remain viable even in cool water but flourishes at 68°F to 113°F.
  • Likes stagnant zones: Stagnant conditions like those in a water tank reservoir, piping, fittings, and basins make it hard to eradicate.
  • Grow alongside other microorganisms: The presence of untreated algae or other bacteria and protozoa, which serve as hosts, may lead to the proliferation of Legionella.

Mitigation and Prevention

The good news for you as a facility manager is that the causes of Legionnaires’ disease are preventable if the proper water management systems are in place including routine monitoring and regular cleanings. monitored.

With greater visibility and education there have been more regulations and guidance. Read more:

 

 

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