Infrastructure /
Water /

Risk assessment of Legionella in water systems

The disease-causing bacterium Legionella is spread by inhaling aerosols from water systems, for example tap water in buildings. RISE offers help in assessing risks for the growth and spread of Legionella according to the requirements stated in the Drinking Water Directive chapter 10.

This service is also relevant in: Built environment, Construction, Risk and security, Infection control

Service details

Service: Risk assessment of Legionella in water systems
Field measurements: Available
Price: Price on tender

Charlotta Löfström

Senior Forskare

+46 10 516 67 30 Read more about Charlotta

Purpose

Legionella is found naturally in soil and water. It currently causes between 100 and 150 cases annually in Sweden and is a growing problem. Outbreaks of Legionella are often linked to aerosol-forming water systems, e.g. cooling towers, showers, fountains, hot tubs and humidification facilities. In order to deal with Legionella in a water installation, the risks for growth, survival and spread need to be mapped and an action plan drawn up.

The new Drinking Water Directive states that there must be a risk assessment of Legionella in water systems in society important and prioritized buildings. According to the directive, prioritized buildings mean large properties that have many users who may be exposed to water-related risks. More specifically, it can, for example, be:

Premises related to health care and social care
Teaching premises
Airports and ports
Hotels
Sports facilities
Swimming facilities
Multi-apartment buildings
Assembly premises
Premises for correctional facilities

In addition, a risk assessment should be carried out in premises and facilities that previously had problems with Legionella.

Method

The projects are structured as a traditional risk analysis according to Codex Alimentarius/FAO, 2014 (or equivalent) with the steps:

Hazard identification
Hazard characterization
Exposure estimation
Risk characterization

The risk assessment can be done theoretically and/or with the support of measurements. For this, RISE offers, among other things, sampling of the customer's water system, microbiological analysis, as well as tests in labs and pilot systems.

The focus of the work is adapted to the current issue and the customer's needs. The risk assessment can be expanded and supplemented with action analysis and action proposals.

Delivery

The risk assessment is summarized in a report and presented in a meeting with the customer.

Related

The Drinking Water Directive

In 2020, the EU Council of Ministers made a decision regarding a new Drinking Water Directive, which is being implemented in Sweden during spring 2023. The goal of the directive is to protect human health from all types of contaminants in drinking water and to improve access to clean water.

Risk and security / Expertise

Risk management

Based on international standards (ISO 31000 and others) on risk management, risks in a number of different applications such as cyber, fire, food, construction, safety and security can be apreciated and managed. Key concepts whithin ISO 31000 is risk assessment that includes hazard or risk identification, risk analysis and risk evaluation.

Infection control / Service

Microbiological risk assessment of product, process and production

Many processes and production environments must be clean and hygienic for the product to be safe and durable. It is also important that process steps and equipment designed to reduce unwanted microorganisms function properly. RISE offers a number of services and tools to improve microbiological safety and dureability.

Trouble shooting microbiological deviations

Sometimes things goes wrong in the production and the products are microbiologically spoiled or even worse pathogens are detected in the products. Then it is important to know how to handle the situation to establish why it occurred, what to do about it and how to prevent it happening again. RISE microbiologists can help you trouble shooting.

Biofilm on surfaces - a problem in many industries

Biofilm formation is the microorganisms' way of protecting themselves against factors in the environment such as chemicals, antibiotics, heat etc. Biofilm therefore creates problems in many industries and environments, for example in water management in various contexts, in healthcare, in the paper industry and not least in the food industry.

Legionella safe domestic hot water

Energy optimization is central for sustainable development and domestic hot water temperature is important. A compromise between energy use and microbial safety is needed. In the project, the hypothesis that the limited water volume solution allows water temperature to be reduced without increasing the Legionella risk, was tested.

Industrial Water Management

Through better water management many industries can not only reduce their environmental impact and meet societal demands for clean water, but also improve process performance and ultimately reduce costs. Water management is a key part of climate change resilience for a sustainable industry.

Food / Test & demo

Cleaning Innovation

A test bed with a holistic approach to the efficiency aspects, as well as environmental aspects of cleaning and disinfection.