Legionnaire's Disease
What is Legionella?
Legionella is a bacteria that is naturally occurring in water sources such as lakes, reservoirs and ponds. It can enter the water systems within houses through the mains supply and given the right conditions, can begin to proliferate and potentially pose a threat.
Is it harmful?
Although naturally occurring and present in low levels in a lot of water sources, the bacteria is usually not harmful if ingested, but if the bacteria is spread through an aerosol (a garden hose or shower head) and comes into contact with a susceptible person, it is possible that they could contract legionnaires disease.
What is Legionnaire’s disease?
Legionnaires disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia caused by the inhalation of small droplets of contaminated water containing Legionella. legionnaires disease is often mistaken for other disease that affect the lungs, like pneumonia and the only way to get a definite diagnosis is through tests like blood and urine
Where is Legionella found?
Hot and cold water systems in residential properties are a potential source for legionella bacteria growth. The main areas of risk are where the bacteria can multiply and increase to dangerous levels and then spread, e.g. in spray from showers and taps, even in dishwasher and washing machine pipes.
Conditions ripe for colonisation are where water of between 20°C and 45°C stagnates, and where there is sludge, rust and scale present for the bacteria to feed upon and multiply.
Who is at risk?
Legionnaires disease most commonly affects the elderly, or people with chest or lung problems. Not everyone exposed to legionella bacteria becomes ill.
Legionnaires disease is not contagious and you cannot get it from drinking water.
What precautions can I take?
Taking the following simple precautions will help keep you safe:
• Inform the SIC Housing Service if you believe the hot water temperature is below 50°C or the hot water tank/boiler is defective in any way
• Do not adjust the temperature of the hot water
• Advise SIC Housing Service if you believe the cold-water temperature is above 20°C
• Flush through little used outlets for 5 minutes at least once a week (run taps at a flow rate that will avoid aerosols)
• Clean, disinfect and descale shower heads at least once every 6 months
• Notify the SIC Housing Service if they notice any debris or discolouration in the hot or cold water
Unoccupied/Short-Term Let properties
If the property left unoccupied for periods of time, e.g. holidays/Christmas/New Year then you should flush the system when you return. Special care should be taken when flushing showers. Ideally the showerhead should be removed (and disinfected separately) but if this isn’t possible, cover it with a towel or plastic bag and run it at its hottest setting for at least five minutes.
What do I do if I think I may have contracted Legionnaires disease?
If you suspect that you or someone in your home has contracted Legionnaires disease, contact your doctor immediately.