Legionella

Legionella bacteria causes the potentially fatal condition Legionnaires' disease. If your activities in the University require you to work with water systems you must inform Campus Services, the Head of Facilities Management, Andrew Short.  

Legionella bacteria can be found in water systems such as cooling towers, hot and cold water services and where water may lay dormant and be subject to heat.

Legionella bacteria can survive low temperatures and thrive at temperatures between 20C to 45C particularly where there is a presence of nutrients such as scale and rust.

The University has a legal obligation to control the risks from legionella and you should co-operate with efforts to actively identify, assess and control sources of risk.

Prior to ordering services or plant and certainly prior any commencement of use ask yourself following the questions to assist Campus Services in removing, minimising and controlling risk.

• Could legionella bacteria easily multiply through water temperature being 20 to 45C?  Remember cold water can be heated through various means.
• Are water droplets formed and could they be spread such as through a cooling tower or shower head?  Remember Legionnaires’ disease can been caught by people at great distances from the source of emission.
• Is regular maintenance, cleaning and disinfection of systems or plant planned into purchasing and use?

For more information on legionella risks or to discuss this further please contact the Health, Safety and Environment Office on ext 7318.

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