Legionella Sampling and Management Plan (SMP)
What is a Legionella Sampling and Management Plan (SMP)?
Depending on your state’s regulatory requirements, a Legionella culture Sampling and Management Plan (SMP) may be required for your potable water systems. This can be part of a broader Legionella control water management plan.
Using New York state’s as an example, a sampling and management plan must include the following at a minimum:
- Legionella culture sampling sites as determined by the environmental assessment;
- Provisions requiring Legionella culture sampling and analysis at intervals not to exceed 90 days for the first year following adoption of the sampling and management plan (SMP).
- Thereafter, the plan shall include provisions for annual Legionella culture sampling and analysis, but there may be facilities with sensitive occupants that have requirements for Legionella testing in much shorter intervals. See your regulatory requirements for the specifics of those intervals.
- Provisions requiring actions in response to Legionella culture analysis results called for by your applicable regulatory agency and specific time frames for such actions.
In addition to the sampling required by the facility’s Legionella sampling and management plan (SMP), your facility needs to conduct Legionella culture sampling and analysis of the potable water system in accordance with the timeframe determined by the regulatory agency. This may be based upon the following factors:
- A determination that one or more cases of legionellosis are, or may be, associated with the facility;
- Other conditions specified by the applicable regulatory agency
A covered facility has to review its Legionella sampling and management plan (SMP) annually and under the following conditions:
- When one or more cases of legionellosis are or may be associated with the facility;
- Upon completion of any construction, modification, or repair activities that may affect the potable water system;
- Upon expansion or relocation of certain types of units, typically related to healthcare of certain individuals; or
- Any other conditions specified by your applicable regulatory agency.
The Legionella sampling and management plan and sampling results must be retained and validated with regular Legionella testing in accordance with the applicable regulations.
As you can see, a Legionella Sampling and Management Plan (SMP) is not something that most facilities can easily create in-house. Given its importance for regulatory, legal, health, and safety reasons related to Legionella, it is critical that you bring in experts with sufficient knowledge of water management plans for Legionella and Legionnaires disease. If you have a need for Legionella Sampling and Management Plan (SMP), contact Legionella Control Systems.
