Legionella Disinfection Options for the Healthcare Water Supply Chain

Cities routinely add chlorine to the water supply as a primary disinfection measure. This may be sufficient for tap water, but for healthcare facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, and surgery centers, secondary disinfection or supplemental disinfection is desirable to help kill difficult waterborne pathogens such as Legionella and Cryptosporidium.

Secondary disinfection is important because the level of disinfectant is a risk factor for Legionella. Below is an overview of common Legionella disinfection options used in healthcare.

Secondary Disinfection for Healthcare

• Chlorination: Chlorination introduces sodium hypochlorite into the water to provide a residual disinfectant.
• Monochloramines: Monochloramines offer a more stable disinfectant than chlorine and chlorine dioxide.
• Chlorine Dioxide: Chlorine Dioxide is introduced into the water as a dissolved gas and is a strong oxidizing disinfectant.
• Mixed Oxidant Solution (MOS): MOS involves the on-site generation of a mixture of oxidants for enhanced disinfection.
• Ozonation: Ozone gas is dissolved in water to oxidize and eliminate Legionella and other pathogens.
• Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP): Combines oxidants like ozone, hydrogen peroxide, and UV light to produce hydroxyl radicals.
• Copper-Silver Ionization: This method releases copper and silver ions into the water, which disrupt Legionella cell walls and inhibit and penetrate biofilms.

Other Supplemental and Secondary Disinfection Systems

• Ultraviolet (UV) Light: UV light disrupts microbial DNA, rendering pathogens non-viable.
• Nanobubbles: Nanobubbles (extremely small gas bubbles) enhance microbial disruption and water quality.
• Dissolved Oxygen Removal: This method removes dissolved oxygen to create anaerobic conditions, inhibiting aerobic pathogens like Legionella to grow.

With the above information in mind, hospitals are better prepared to decide which secondary disinfection method is right for them. For those who already have measures in place, learning of other options can open the door to more effective and safer alternatives.

To determine the best secondary disinfection option that meets your waterborne pathogen and Legionella control needs, contact the engineering experts at Legionella Control Systems, info@legionellacontrolsystems.com or 888-416-8626.