Legionella is a bacterium that causes a serious disease called legionnaires. This bacterium can be found in freshwater ecosystems like streams and lakes, and it occurs naturally.
Generally speaking, when this bacterium is present in a limited number in some water bodies, it can not cause any disease.
The problem arises when it infects the water systems in plants and other buildings. In such systems, it grows unabated, and people who use this contaminated water get affected by the disease called legionnaires. Thankfully, there are steps that you can take to check legionella growth.
Let’s first look at some of the most important reasons that cause Legionella to grow in an unrestrained manner-
- The reasons that trigger uncontrolled legionella growth are both external and internal. Some of the most common reasons include standing water, drastic changes in water pressure, fluctuation in PH, fluctuations in the temperature of the water, the existence of sediments and scales, biofilm, change in the quality of water, and of course, the absence of disinfectant. The last point bears special importance because it offers us a clue to bettering the quality of water in plants and buildings. That means, if you want your plant water or HVAC system water to remain Legionella free, you will have to undertake legionella disinfection.
Now let’s have a look at how you can address the problem of Legionella.
- The first and most important thing to make sure is that you use disinfectant in the water storage system so that whatever bacteria growth has taken place there, it gets eliminated. But for that, you will also have to make sure you undertake legionella disinfection the right way. Legionella growth might increase despite the presence of disinfectant in your water system if its quantity is lesser than what is required. There are lots of factors that can cause a reduction in the level of a disinfectant present in a water system, and some of the reasons include filtering and heating. Once the amount of disinfectant in the water reduces, these bacteria get a chance to grow, and once they start growing, they grow unabated, creating colonies and making the water unfit for use.
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- Another important thing that you can do to make sure Legionella growth in your water system remains under check is by maintaining the right temperature of water. Generally, this bacterium needs around 77 -108 degrees Fahrenheit to grow. To make sure it fails to breed and grow, you’ll have to keep the temperature of the water a little colder. In case, the water needs to be hot, make sure it is hotter than the range mention above.
- Another important reason why your water system could see the growth of this bacterium is stagnation. And that is why you’ll have to prevent stagnation from preventing the growth of this bacterium. When water fails to flow properly in a system, something called a biofilm grows there. It will not just reduce the amount of disinfectant present in the water but will also lower its temperature. As a result, this bacterium grows without any hindrance.
Now, that you know in what amazing ways the growth of this bacterium can be checked, there is no reason why you should go wrong.
