5 Signs Your Water System Needs Legionella Testing

You might know that your water system needs to be tested for legionella regularly. That much should have been made clear by your expert water hygiene consultants, the people who are there to help guide you through the sometimes confusing maze that is legionella control. However, simply knowing that your water has to be tested every quarter and that a certain number of tests are going to be carried out isn’t always enough.

That’s because there are other reasons, apart from the ones to do with early detection, for testing your water system for legionella bacteria. It’s essential you’re aware of the signs for when this needs to take place so that you can call in the experts sooner rather than later, since later can lead to a full-blown legionella outbreak. Read on to find out more.

When There Is A Legionella Outbreak

If your regular testing has produced a positive result, it’s best to have some more testing carried out, as well as the cleaning of the system that will be required. This additional testing will help you determine precisely which area of the building the legionella bacteria is affecting and narrow down the cause of the outbreak, giving you a chance to solve the issue.

When The Occupants Are At Risk

If the building itself is housing occupants who are deemed to be more at risk of developing legionnaires’ disease than others, you should have your water systems tested more regularly than usual – how much more frequently will depend on a variety of factors, including who is in your building and what it is being used for. Your water treatment consultant will be able to advise you. Some at-risk groups include smokers, those with compromised immune systems, and older people.

When Temperature Can’t Be Successfully Controlled

Controlling the temperature within your building is one of the best ways to prevent legionella bacteria from thriving. However, sometimes the temperature can’t be successfully controlled – kept under 20 degrees C or above 50 degrees C – due to restrictions such as thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) or where a tank is located in a warm area. In this case, testing more often for legionella is a good idea as there is much more risk of it occurring.

When The System Has Not Been Flushed Through

If the water within the building has not been used for a week or more, it should be tested for legionella before it is put back into use again. Ideally, even if a building is empty, you should still flush the water weekly to ensure that it isn’t becoming stagnant and that legionella isn’t growing in the tanks and pipework.

When There Is A History Of Legionella

Some buildings have a history of legionella bacteria occurring regularly, more often than would be expected. Perhaps there has been a major outbreak in the past. In either case, an expert should test the water to make sure it has not returned.

Contact Assured Water Today

There are many reasons for needing additional legionella tests carried out on your water systems, as well as the regular ones that should be taken as a matter of course. If you need advice or wish to discuss your testing regime, contact Assured Water. We can guide you through the maze that is legionella control and ensure that your building is as safe as possible.