When to Test For Legionella

Understanding when to test for Legionella in your facility is vital to ensure the safety of anyone using the facility. Every facility and Legionella situation is different, so knowing when to test is of vital importance.

Legionella bacteria thrive in warm, stagnant water and can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a serious and potentially fatal form of pneumonia. The consequences of an undetected Legionella problem range from serious illness to significant legal and financial liability for your business. Testing is one of the most important tools you have to catch a problem before it becomes a serious health emergency. A solid water management program paired with regular testing is the strongest defense you can put in place for your facility and the people in it.

So how do you know when to test for Legionella?

If your facility has had Legionella in the past, test regularly.

• Testing for Legionella should be done regularly to ensure that your Legionella control stays effective.
• Past detection means your water system has had conditions that allowed Legionella to grow. Those conditions may still be present or could return if mitigation is not effective as it needs to be. Regular testing helps confirm that your Legionella control measures are working and gives you documentation to support your compliance efforts. Your water quality monitoring plan should define how often testing takes place based on the history and risk profile of your system.

If you recently finished construction, test.

• After completing a new build or making modifications to your facility’s water system, you should test.
• New construction and major renovations can introduce stagnant water, debris, and biofilm into your plumbing system. Even a well-designed system can develop Legionella risk during the construction and commissioning phase. A Legionella risk assessment before and after construction helps identify potential issues early and confirms that your water system is safe before occupants use it.

If you recently finished Legionella remediation, test.

• To ensure that the remediation is successful, you should test.
• Post-remediation testing confirms that the treatment worked. Without it, you have no way to know for certain that the problem has been resolved. Your water management program should specify the timing and frequency of follow-up testing after any remediation event to validate the results and satisfy any regulatory requirements.

If your facility has been idle or shut down for an extended period, test.

• Facilities that have been closed, partially closed, or operating at reduced capacity can develop stagnant water in their plumbing systems. Stagnant water is one of the most common conditions that supports Legionella growth.
• This applies to buildings that were shut down for renovations, seasonal closures, or periods of reduced occupancy. Before reopening or returning to full operation, Legionella testing should be completed to make sure the water system is safe. Even a few weeks of low water use can create conditions where Legionella can take hold. Learn more about Legionella testing and what to expect from the process.

If a case of Legionnaires’ disease has been linked to your facility, test immediately.

• A confirmed or suspected case of Legionnaires’ disease connected to your facility is a serious public health matter that requires immediate action.
• You need to test right away to identify the source and determine how widespread the problem may be. Acting quickly protects your occupants and limits your legal and financial exposure. Legionella Control Systems provides emergency response services, including remediation and engineering site investigation/root cause analysis for exactly this type of situation. Contact us immediately if you are facing a potential outbreak or have received notification from a health authority.

If your water management plan includes a testing schedule, follow it.

• A properly designed water management program will include a schedule for routine Legionella testing as part of the validation process.
• This type of planned, regular testing gives your team the data needed to confirm that your controls are working and to catch any issues before they become a risk to the people in your building. If your facility does not yet have a formal water management program, now is the time to put one in place. Learn about the 7-step water management program that Legionella Control Systems uses to keep facilities safe and compliant with ASHRAE 188 standards.

If you receive a notice from a regulatory authority, test.

• If you receive an inspection notice or citation related to Legionella from the health department, The Joint Commission, or another regulatory body, testing is a critical next step.
• Testing gives you objective data to support your response and shows that you are taking the situation seriously. The findings also help identify what corrective actions are needed. Do not wait. Contact Legionella Control Systems right away if you are in this situation so we can help you respond quickly and effectively.

If your water system is not meeting temperature targets, test.

• Legionella grows best in water between 68 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If your hot water is not reaching proper temperatures or your cold water is running too warm, you have a condition that can support Legionella growth.
• Legionella control starts with temperature management, but testing is the only way to confirm that bacteria levels are within safe limits. If your system has been running outside of recommended temperature ranges for any period of time, do not wait for symptoms to appear before taking action.

Not Sure If You Need to Test? Start With a Risk Assessment.

If you are unsure whether your facility needs Legionella testing right now, a Legionella risk assessment is the best place to start. It gives you a clear picture of your water system’s risk factors and helps you build a testing schedule that fits your specific situation. As an independent Legionella engineering company, Legionella Control Systems can help you evaluate your risk, design a testing strategy, and take action if a problem is found.

Contact Legionella Control Systems at 888-416-8626 or [email protected] to get started.