EDITOR’S CHOICE
LEGIONELLA AND LOCKDOWN The future of water system management
Since the first lockdown, the Health and Safety Executive and other industry experts have been warning of the potential for unmanaged water systems to deteriorate or become colonised with bacteria. In September, three people in the Midlands were hospitalised with Legionnaires’ disease and another six suspected cases were investigated. Here, Spencer Culley, director at Churchill Environmental Services, discusses why water systems are at risk, the impact of water system stagnation and how to approach safe water management.
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n September, three confirmed and six suspected cases of Legionnaires’ disease were
reported in the Midlands. The outbreak led to six hospitalisations and may well be a consequence of the ongoing pandemic and its impact on the built environment. Symptoms of Legionnaire’s disease include
high temperature, fever, chills, muscle pain, headaches, mental confusion, and potentially pneumonia. Other symptoms – dry cough, muscle aches, and breathing difficulties – are similar to those of COVID-19. It is vital at the best of times to prevent
Legionella growth. Considering sufferers may need similar medical resources to those with Covid, water system management has taken on a whole new importance.
LEGIONELLA GROWTH Legionella, the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease, can be easily controlled in well-maintained water systems. Yet certain issues can put buildings at risk of an outbreak. Legionella is naturally occurring and rarely an
issue in natural settings. However, anywhere that contaminated water can form droplets that are then inhaled presents a risk. Basic control measures are usually enough to
prevent any risk of outbreak. These include keeping water temperatures above or below the temperature window in which the bacteria can survive, keeping the water within the system clear of sediment, and preventing water from stagnating in the system. It is the latter that has been particularly difficult
over the past months. Many buildings were closed virtually overnight when the first Government guidance was released in the spring. Since then, many have remained closed or
functioned at greatly reduced occupancy. The abruptness of this change to our working lives has left many still questioning how best to safely manage buildings. There are countless articles about the safe return to work and the need for safety precautions such as social distancing to be
10 SPRING 2021 | INDUSTRIAL COMPLIANCE
in place. But for some, this has meant hard FM such as water management and building compliance has momentarily been forgotten. Almost all building water systems are designed
and managed in accordance with standard guidance. However, this guidance is based on the premise that a system will be able to provide a continuous supply of water for the building at (or near to) maximum capacity and that the water systems will be used regularly. This is a far cry from the reality this year.
RISING NUMBERS Churchill Environmental Services carried out data analysis of legionella samples that clearly illustrates the issue. Water samples were taken across hot- and cold-water systems in a variety of buildings including schools, retail outlets, offices, factories, and communal areas in residential buildings. The samples have demonstrated an
alarmingly high rate of failure to meet safe levels of the bacteria. Compared to the same period in 2019, the rate of failure has increased from 13 to 22 per cent. A number of high- profile buildings have been forced to close entirely due to water sample failures, such as part of the Royal Navy HQ in Portsmouth. The case reported in the West Bromwich area
in September was the first in the current period but may not be the last unless preventative measures are put into place. Regularly flushing all taps in unused buildings is highly effective. However, many organisations are working with a skeleton team, returning staff to the office in steps, or working split-shifts to regulate building capacity. While a building is not completely closed, the
importance of such measures may be forgotten. The coming months could be particularly risky as organisations manage a return to the workplace. Those that have suffered from COVID-19 and have slightly compromised immune systems will be particularly vulnerable. Facilities managers
/ INDUSTRIALCOMPLIANCE
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