Legionella nedir? Su sistemlerinde ne tür önlemler almak gerekir?
Legionella is a genus of bacteria naturally found in freshwater environments that can proliferate in man-made water systems under favorable conditions. Inhalation of aerosolized water droplets containing Legionella may lead to Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia, or the milder Pontiac fever.
According to Prof. Dr. İrfan Türetgen, effective Legionella prevention and control in water systems require a comprehensive risk management approach rather than relying solely on periodic testing.
Measures to Prevent and Control Legionella in Water Systems
- Develop and implement a Legionella risk management plan for the entire water system.
- Maintain hot water temperatures at levels that inhibit bacterial growth and ensure adequate cold water temperature control.
- Prevent water stagnation by regularly flushing infrequently used outlets and eliminating dead legs in pipework.
- Clean, inspect, and disinfect water storage tanks, cooling towers, and distribution systems on a routine basis.
- Regularly maintain and disinfect showers, faucets, spa pools, decorative fountains, humidifiers, and other aerosol-generating devices.
- Control the formation of biofilms, scale, sediment, and corrosion, which provide favorable conditions for Legionella growth.
- Ensure appropriate disinfection using methods such as chlorination or other approved water treatment techniques.
- Perform routine microbiological monitoring and Legionella testing in accordance with the applicable regulations and risk assessment.
- Keep maintenance, monitoring, and corrective action records as part of the facility’s water safety management program.
- Train facility personnel responsible for operating and maintaining water systems.
Routine Legionella testing, combined with preventive maintenance and an effective water management program, is essential for minimizing the risk of Legionnaires’ disease in facilities such as hotels, hospitals, healthcare institutions, residential buildings, sports facilities, spas, and industrial water systems.
