Legionnaires Bacteria Found In Multiple Schools
Reopened Schools Find Legionella Risk in Water
Updated September 9, 2020
Health officials are warning parents and returning students about the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires disease. Traces of Legionella – the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires disease – have been found in the water system of multiple schools in Ohio and Pennsylvania after months of sitting empty during the pandemic-related lockdowns.
“This is a really serious topic, and the detection of Legionella at eleven schools, is a serious discovery,” Andrew Whelton, an associate professor of civil engineering and environmental and ecological engineering at Purdue University, told CBSN. “We haven’t really done much testing in the United States. There are no regulations that require either testing or disclosure of test results.”
Where to Look for Legionella
When conducting your building water system investigation, walk-through, or risk assessment use this section to help you identify all potential Legionella reservoirs in the building. If conducting an investigation due to a suspected case or outbreak, also survey the surrounding neighborhood to identify any cooling towers, wastewater treatment facilities, storm water/gray water re-use facilities (i.e. golf course spray irrigation water systems), or ornamental fountains that may be located near the building in question. If necessary, obtain permission to sample these off-the-property locations. Also identify and visually inspect all the building fresh-air intakes/pedestrian walkways with respect to these neighborhood locations.
1. Potable water systems
2. Cooling towers
3. Water walls
4. Aerosol generation during the biological treatment of some industrial process wastewater streams ie., pulp and paper manufacturing, food and beverage manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing
5. Aerosol generation during municipal water and wastewater treatment
6. Raw, utility or pure water
7. Ornamental outdoor and indoor water fountains and ponds
8. Heated swimming pools
*9. Hot tubs
10. Humidifiers/CPAP Machine Water Reservoirs
11. Metal working fluids
12. Medical therapy equipment like dialysis units, nasogastric tubes, respiratory equipment and nebulizers, whirlpool baths
13. Commercial car wash facilities particularly those using recycled water
14. Supermarket vegetable misters
15. Ice machines in hotels and hospitals
16. Outdoor body misters at ballparks and amusement parks*
17. Use of tap water in place of manufactured windshield cleaner fluid
18. Fog Machines
19. Ultrasonic Dental Descalers
20. Storm water/gray water spray irrigation systems
*Has not been associated with any cases of legionellosis to date but all the conditions exist for the presence and transmission of the bacteria.
8 steps to minimize Legionella risk before your business or building reopens
- Develop a comprehensive water management program (WMP) for your water system and all devices that use water. Guidance to help with this process is available from CDC and others.
- Ensure your water heater is properly maintained and the temperature is correctly set.
- Flush your water system
- Clean all decorative water features, such as fountains
- Ensure hot tubs/spas are safe for use
- Ensure cooling towers are clean and well-maintained
- Ensure safety equipment including fire sprinkler systems, eye wash stations, and safety showers are clean and well-maintained
- Maintain your water system
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