Why you want to prevent a legionella outbreak

Everyone has heard of the bacterium Legionella, but not everyone knows what exactly it is and how to prevent the spread of this dangerous bacterium. In this blog, you will read more about Legionella and how to prevent an outbreak.

Legionella disaster

On 25 February 1999, the Legionella disaster started in Bovenkarspel, in the province of North Holland. It started with a fire hose and a hot tub, but ended with 206 seriously ill and even 32 deaths due to legionellosis (aka Legionnaires' disease). This resulted in the establishment of the Veterans Disease Foundation where fellow sufferers can gather and educate about this life-threatening bacteria.

What is Legionella?

Legionella pneumophila is a bacterium that can lead to legionellosis, also known as Legionnaires' disease or Legionnaires' disease. The bacterium thrives in a watery environment, especially in warm water. It can spread through various sources of infection such as water pipes, showers, hot tubs, fountains and cooling towers.

How can a legionella outbreak occur?

There are several factors that contribute to the growth of Legionella. Stagnant water, poor maintenance of water installations and a temperature between 25 and 45 degrees Celsius are ideal conditions for the bacteria to multiply. In addition, pollution, biofilm and sediment in pipes can also promote Legionella growth. This is because these are perfect breeding grounds for the bacteria, allowing it to multiply at a lightning pace.

Legionella in industry

In industrial environments, several factors can contribute to the growth and spread of Legionella. Cooling towers, humidification systems, process water systems and industrial water tanks are often potential sources of contamination. These systems often contain water that provides the ideal temperature and nutrients for the growth of the bacteria.

Consequences of a Legionella outbreak

A Legionella outbreak in industry can have serious health and operational consequences. It is therefore essential to minimise the risks and take appropriate preventive measures.

1. Health risks: A legionella outbreak can lead to serious health problems for employees and other people who come into contact with contaminated water. Legionellosis, the disease caused by legionella bacteria, can lead to symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath and, in severe cases, pneumonia. In some cases, it can even be fatal, especially in people with weakened immune systems or underlying health problems.
2. Loss of productivity: An outbreak of Legionella can lead to the (temporary) closure of parts of the production environment or even the entire company. Cleaning, disinfecting and repairing contaminated water systems can take considerable time, disrupting normal business operations. This can lead to significant losses in terms of productivity and finances.
3. Reputational damage: A Legionella outbreak in the industry can lead to negative publicity and reputational damage. The public may lose confidence in the company and potential customers may become reluctant to do business. A poor health and safety reputation can have long-term consequences for the company, both in terms of finances and image.
4. Legal and financial consequences: Companies may face legal liability as a result of a legionella outbreak. Victims of legionellosis may file claims for damages, which can lead to high legal costs and financial compensation. Moreover, companies may face fines and penalties from the relevant authorities if they fail to comply with legionella prevention laws and regulations.

Prevention

By being proactive and taking preventive measures, companies in the industry can avoid a legionella outbreak. Purchasing a machine from Watter is a good example of this. Indeed, this machine produces a disinfectant that works against Legionella but also Salmonella, Listeria, E. Coli, biofilm and many more.

Watter system

The Watter system produces a super effective disinfectant from just electricity, water and salt. This disinfectant has been extensively tested and has passed several EN tests. It is also permitted for PT 2 to 4 in the Netherlands, which means it is permitted for applications such as water for industrial and agricultural use, water for cooling and heating applications and water for recreational purposes.