As temperatures rise and water systems become more active, industry experts are urging facilities managers to prioritise rapid Legionella testing as part of their spring maintenance plans.
As most facilities managers will already know, Legionella pneumophila, the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease, poses a serious public health threat in water systems such as cooling towers, spas, hotels, as well as facilities with complex water infrastructure.
Although most healthy people exposed to Legionella will not fall ill, for older people, young children, or those with specific health issues or conditions Legionnaires’ disease can prove fatal.
What many facilities managers may not realise, however, is that cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been on the rise in recent years, underscoring the need for more rigorous monitoring and prevention efforts. In 2021, for example, the European Union witnessed the highest annual notification rate of Legionnaires’ to date.1 While in the UK the total number of legionellosis cases has increased by over 20% between 2017 and 2023.2
With this, it becomes even more important to stay informed about the latest technologies and best practices in Legionella control to help to ensure better protection – particularly for higher risk buildings such as hospitals, care homes and schools.
“Spring is a critical time for water system maintenance, and rapid Legionella testing should be a key part of every facility’s safety protocol,” said Greg Rankin, CEO at Hydrosense. “Traditional testing methods can take up to ten days for results, leaving ample time for bacterial growth, and they also miss certain dangerous strains. Water samples can also get damaged in the transportation process, potentially killing the Legionella inside and increasing the risk of a false negative result. Rapid on-site testing allows for immediate, highly accurate detection, enabling swift action to mitigate risks.”
Unlike conventional culture-based methods, modern rapid Legionella testing solutions can deliver results within minutes. With real-time data to assess contamination levels, facilities managers are able to implement corrective measures quickly, reduce downtime, ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and provide peace of mind for the customer.
Greg adds: “Despite the vast progress that has been made in so many areas of health and safety practice in recent years, it is astonishing that the standard approach to Legionella detection remains outdated. By shifting to more comprehensive testing approaches that are faster and more accurate, we have a critical opportunity to minimise exposure and control what is becoming a globally increasing Legionella risk.”
For further information please visit: https://hydrosense-legionella.com/