legionella bacterium   coronavirus
   
  leptosporidium
Myth The source of Legionnaires disease is only from cooling towers and air conditioning systems.
Fact Domestic hot & cold water systems account for as many, if not more cases -and spa baths and Jacuzzis are a close second source of the disease.

Legionnaires' disease was first identified in 1976 following a large outbreak of pneumonia amongst people attending an American Legion Convention in Philadelphia. It is a form of pneumonia that can affect anybody and is fatal in approximately 12% of reported cases. It is caused by the bacterium Legionella pnuemophila and related bacteria; these bacteria can also cause less serious illnesses that are not fatal or permanently debilitating.

The disease is normally contracted through inhaling the Legionella bacterium in tiny droplets of water (aerosols) such as showers, steam rooms and whirlpools etc. The incubation period is between 2-10 days and not everyone exposed will develop the full-blown disease but may suffer mild flu like symptoms.

Certain groups of people are known to be at a higher risk of contracting legionnaires' disease; e.g men appear more susceptible than women, as do those over 45 years of age, smokers, alcoholics, diabetics and those with cancer or chronic respiratory or kidney disease.

 

Control legislation has changed over the past 30 years. Initially there was EH48, a draft or prelude to the current Approved Code of Practice and the Approved Guidance which has recently been updated by the Health & Safety Commission to the Approved Code of Practice and Guidance  L8 – Legionnaires’ disease for the control of legionella bacteria in water systems.

AquaCare Water Hygiene Services' primary objective is helping organisations comply with the HSE ACoP L8 through a complete water hygiene service:

bullet on-site water system risk assessments, complete with asset registers
bullet written reports - including pipework schematics and system details
bullet identification and prioritisation of remedial works required to achieve ACoP L8 compliance
bullet action plan to prioritise control measures and instigate remedial works
bullet identification of on-site personnel training requirements
bullet cleaning and disinfection of systems and storage
Legionella Control Association logo AquaCare Water Hygiene Services is a member of the Legionella Control Association. Download a copy of our current Legionella Control Certificate of Registration here. Legionella Control Certificate of Registration

Our customers enjoy peace of mind knowing their reputation - and the health and safety of their clients and customers - is in safe, professional hands.

AquaCare Water Hygiene Services goes beyond simple reporting and remediation to identify key training needs for on-site personnel to ensure on-going compliance.