About Legionella
In low numbers, the Legionella bacterium is common in underground water, surface water and drinking water. Drinking it does not constitute a health risk, even during pregnancy or to people with health issues. High concentrations, however, can cause a pneumonia-type illness called Legionnaires’ disease in some people. Every year, hundreds of patients are hospitalised, a few dozen of whom die or suffer from chronic complaints. Plenty of reason to keep the Legionella bacterium in check with proper preventive and control measures.
Legionella bacteria grow well in warm water with temperatures ranging between 25-50 °C. Particularly in low-flowing or stagnant water in ‘dead’ piping, or in water systems that have not been installed in accordance with the VEWIN (the national association of water companies in the Netherlands) guidelines.
Legionella bacteria within biofilm attached to pipe walls grow rapidly. Infection is caused by inhalation of contaminated water droplets or aerosols. Legionella is found in showers, steam baths or whirlpools, or in cooling towers. Most infected people do not become ill and there is no human-to-human transmission. Yet a small proportion of people, particularly people with a weakened immune system, contract the pneumonia-like Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever.
Unhealthy growth of Legionella in water systems can be prevented. In the Netherlands, such prevention is governed by law. Owners of so-called priority locations, such as hospitals, saunas and swimming pools, are required by law to have a BRL 6010 certified company undertake risk assessments and develop control plans, and to have Legionella samples taken every six months. Proper performance is enforced by supervisory authorities. Risk assessments and control plans are also mandatory for organisations governed by the Working Conditions Act (Arbowet), operating water supply systems, including cooling towers. All other water supply systems operators are subject to the duty of care in accordance with NEN 1006. This means that owners of communal drinking water systems, predominantly property owners, must ensure that the tap water is of good quality and that the public water supply system is not polluted.
SGI Compliance can test water samples against statutory requirements for Legionella prevention. We also conduct NEN 1006 surveys.
SGI Compliance can offer full support in terms of risk assessments and control plans within the scope of Legionella prevention. From consultancy and awareness to water system management, including the implementation of the necessary measures. SGI Compliance ensures that companies meet the statutory requirements for Legionella risk management as laid down in the 2011 Drinking Water Act (Drinkwaterwet), ISO publication 55.1 and the additional requirements ensuing from BRL 6010.
A risk assessment identifies the possible sources of contamination of the drinking water system: where can Legionella bacteria grow?
Depending on the risks identified, the necessary control measures and their frequency are laid down in the control plan. For instance, weekly (flushing water pipes) monthly (temperature checks), annually (check valve tests, preventive maintenance, descaling, etc.).
Having undertaken a risk assessment, SGI Compliance’ Legionella experts can support the entire control plan, offering:
Regular monitoring, such as audits that give insight in the status of the water and related systems.
Measures in case of contamination, such as adaptations to the system, extra flushing, organising thermal cleaning or chemical disinfection, advice on alternative technology and solutions, ILT (Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate Body) notifications and public relations.
Logging, ensuring proper registration of the necessary control measures; the log must be available for inspection.
Regular updates of drawings. In accordance with BRL 6010, risk assessments and control plans must include accurate system drawings, which also clearly indicate any changes to the layout or the water system.
Coordination of system adaptations. If a system adaptation, proposed in the risk assessment, is implemented, regular control measures may become redundant. If not, the control measures must remain in place.
Construction supervision within the scope of Legionella prevention in new developments or renovation projects. SGI Compliance tests drawings, adaptations and installation work against statutory regulations. From the first meeting onwards or as a second opinion at a later stage.
Legionella management, organising and implementing Legionella control, including policymaking, allocating tasks, powers and responsibilities, drawing up procedures, and training.