US Cities Move To Make Legionella Testing a Legal Requirement

Through the pandemic an unforeseen consequence is buildings running with low to no occupancy. This has caused a surge in Legionella testing as buildings work to get back to full capacity. Legionella is a fast growing bacteria that is found in water supplies. One of the leading catalysts for legionella growth is stagnation (read about the effects of water age on Legionella growth). With stagnation, two major things occur. The first is that bacteria is more likely grow within biofilm more easily. Biofilm growth accelerates when bacteria forms a protective layer that adheres to piping. When this biofilm forms, Legionella and other harmful bacteria need less nutrients to grow. Some tests have found that biofilm is where 90% of legionella are found. Only about 10% of it is found free moving in water. As the biofilm grows it can also break off and send chunks of the colony out into the piping to eventually adhere further down in dead legs and fixtures. The second reason water age is can be an issue is because the disinfectants such as chlorine that protect us from bacteria will dissipate, which leaves the water unprotected.

With stagnation being so prevalent in these buildings throughout our cities, representatives in many states are moving to make legionella testing mandatory. At the end of the day people are afraid to find out if there is Legionella or other issues in their buildings because this often ends with unseen costs. These bills would take the fear and unease in going through with the testing out of the equation. As stated by Dr. Janet Stout, who leads a Legionella Testing Special Pathogens Laboratory in Uptown Pittsburgh, “People are afraid to know whether Legionella is present or not. So by making it a requirement, that fear goes away.” For now these bills are focusing on high risk areas like buildings with cooling towers or that cater to high risk individuals such as nursing homes. PA state senator Wayne Fontana is working new legislation to make it a requirement to test for the Legionella in certain buildings.

There are plenty of red flags being waved throughout the country from pathogen experts who are seeing a rise in both testing and positive cases for the bacteria. Moving through with these types of legislation will likely be on the rise throughout the country. There are already bills in the works in places like New York, Virginia, and New Orleans. Legionella is going to be a major issue throughout these building systems as occupancy continues to grow toward pre-pandemic levels.

For more information on Legionella testing, removal, remediation, emergency service and water management programs, please contact Legionella Control Systems at info@legionellacontrolsystems.com or 888-416-8626.