A leisure centre in Guernsey has been closed with immediate effect after Legionella bacteria were detected in its water system, highlighting the importance of effective water hygiene management and appropriate Legionella risk controls.
The States of Guernsey said the closure was a precautionary measure following the detection, with the incident highlighting how important it is for organisations responsible for buildings and water systems to understand and manage potential Legionella risks.
While Legionella bacteria can occur naturally in water, certain conditions can allow them to multiply and create a potential health risk. Where contaminated water produces droplets or aerosols that can be inhaled, there is a risk of exposure to Legionnaires’ disease.
What is Legionella?
Legionella is a type of bacteria that can be found naturally in water. Under certain conditions, it can multiply within purpose-built water systems and potentially cause Legionnaires’ disease, a form of pneumonia.
Water systems capable of producing aerosols, including showers, taps and other equipment, can present a potential risk if they are not appropriately designed, maintained and managed.
Legionella risks can therefore occur across a wide range of premises, including leisure centres, schools, care homes, hotels, healthcare facilities, offices and other commercial buildings.
What can increase the risk of Legionella?
A number of factors can contribute to the growth of Legionella bacteria within water systems.
These can include:
- Stagnant or infrequently used water
- Water temperatures that allow bacteria to multiply
- Poorly maintained water systems
- Scale, sludge and other deposits
- Biofilm within pipework and water systems
- Dead legs and redundant sections of pipework
- Infrequently used showers, taps and other outlets
Changes to a building or its water systems can also affect the level of risk. This is why effective water hygiene management needs to be an ongoing process rather than something that is only considered when an issue occurs.
Why is a Legionella Risk Assessment important?
A Legionella Risk Assessment helps organisations identify and understand the potential risks associated with their water systems.
The assessment should consider the water systems within a building, identify potential sources of exposure and establish appropriate measures to prevent or control the risk.
The Health and Safety Executive's Approved Code of Practice L8 sets out responsibilities for those responsible for premises and water systems, including identifying and assessing sources of Legionella risk and implementing appropriate control measures.
A Legionella Risk Assessment should therefore not simply be treated as a document to complete and file away. Its findings should form the basis of an effective water hygiene management programme.
Legionella control is an ongoing responsibility
Depending on the water systems and findings of the risk assessment, ongoing control measures may include:
- Regular monitoring of water temperatures
- Inspection and monitoring of water systems
- Flushing of infrequently used outlets
- Cleaning and disinfection
- Water sampling and Legionella testing where appropriate
- Maintenance and remedial work
- Keeping suitable monitoring records
- Reviewing the risk assessment when circumstances change
Effective Legionella control is about understanding the individual water systems within a building and ensuring that appropriate measures are consistently implemented and monitored.
Could your building have a Legionella risk?
The closure of a leisure centre following the detection of Legionella bacteria demonstrates why organisations should not overlook water hygiene management.
Those responsible for buildings should ensure they understand their water systems and have appropriate arrangements in place to manage any reasonably foreseeable Legionella risks.
It may be appropriate to review existing arrangements where:
- A Legionella Risk Assessment is no longer up to date
- Water systems or parts of a building have changed
- Areas or outlets have become infrequently used
- Monitoring or maintenance arrangements have changed
- Previous issues have been identified
- There is uncertainty about whether existing control measures remain appropriate
A professional Legionella Risk Assessment can help identify potential risks and determine what measures may be required to manage them.
Legionella Risk Assessments and Water Hygiene from Bradley Environmental
Bradley Environmental Consultants provides Legionella Risk Assessments and water hygiene services to help organisations identify, manage and control the risks associated with their water systems.
We work with organisations across a wide range of sectors, providing practical advice and support based on the individual building and water systems involved.
If you are responsible for a building or water system and need advice on Legionella risk assessment or water hygiene management, contact Bradley Environmental Consultants to discuss your requirements.