What is the best temperature to kill Legionella bacteria in water?
Outlet temperatures for cold water should therefore be kept below 20 degrees Celsius, and hot water outlets above 50 degrees Celsius (55 degrees in healthcare environments) to control the bacteria. Where these temperatures cannot be achieved alternative methods of legionella disinfection should be considered.
How do you get rid of Legionella?
Legionella disinfection using temperature control. The ideal temperature range for the growth of the bacteria is between 20 and 45 degrees Celsius. Outlet temperatures for cold water should therefore be kept below 20 degrees Celsius, and hot water outlets above 50 degrees Celsius (55 degrees in healthcare environments) to control the bacteria.
What kind of disease is Legionella?
About the Disease. Legionella bacteria can cause a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) called Legionnaires’ disease. The bacteria can also cause a less serious illness called Pontiac fever.
Why do we test for Legionella?
Regular sampling and testing of water for the presence of Legionella bacteria is a valuable means of demonstrating to the regulator and others that adequate control over a water system is being achieved to keep it safe.
What is the best disinfectant to kill Legionella?
Examples of disinfectants include chlorine, mono-chloramine, chlorine dioxide, ultraviolet light, and ozone. Legionella grows best within a certain temperature range (77°F-113°F). To keep water outside the range for Legionella growth, it is important to keep cold water cold and keep hot water hot.
Does thermal disinfection cause Legionella infection?
This paper showed that temperatures associated with thermal disinfection led to corrosion of pipework, which in itself would then lead to an increase in iron, a known material important to the growth of Legionella bacteria.
Can heat exchangers be used to kill Legionella?
If semi-instantaneous heat exchangers are used for water heating, setting them at 60° C (140° F) will be of little or no benefit for Legionella control if water will not be held at that temperature long enough to kill Legionella.