Legionella Prevention: Cooling Towers & Beyond
Maintaining safe water systems goes beyond just cooling towers. While these towers are critical in industrial and commercial settings, a comprehensive approach to Legionella prevention considers all water systems—including storage tanks, decorative fountains, and HVAC condensers—that can foster bacterial growth if not properly managed.
At Pipe Testing Services (PTS), we go beyond basic legionella testing, to ensure our clients are informed – we help ensure safety and compliance when it comes to legionella risks in water systems implement bespoke water safety plans tailored to facilities across the UK.
Understanding Legionella Risks
Legionella bacteria can thrive in warm, stagnant water, leading to severe illnesses like Legionnaires’ disease—a form of pneumonia with a fatality rate of around 10%. Facilities must adopt proactive maintenance strategies to prevent outbreaks and ensure the health and safety of occupants.
Cooling Towers: Critical Yet Not the Sole Culprit
To minimise Legionella risks, the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Approved Code of Practice L8 outlines critical maintenance procedures for cooling towers.
Cooling towers are designed to dissipate heat by recirculating water. However, their operation creates an environment conducive to Legionella:
- Ideal Growth Conditions:
The warm, recirculated water, along with sediment and mineral deposits, encourages biofilm formation. These conditions shield Legionella from disinfectants. - Aerosol Dispersion:
When cooling towers release mist, water droplets can carry Legionella far from the source, potentially infecting nearby individuals. - Design Considerations:
Both open and closed circuit systems require diligent maintenance, including proper positioning of exhausts away from fresh air intakes.
Beyond Cooling Towers: A Holistic Approach to Water System Safety
Legionella risks are not limited to cooling towers. Other water systems can also harbor the bacteria if not maintained correctly:
- Water Storage Tanks & Condensers:
Large volumes of water in tanks can become stagnant, while condensers in HVAC systems may experience temperature fluctuations—both conditions that favor bacterial growth. - Decorative Fountains & Misters:
These features, though visually appealing, can produce aerosols that disperse contaminated water. - Industrial Process Systems:
Complex water circuits in manufacturing or hospital settings may have hidden dead legs or low-flow zones that facilitate Legionella proliferation.
A broad water management strategy ensures all potential hazards are identified and controlled.
Essential Maintenance & Compliance Strategies
UK regulations, such as the HSE’s Approved Code of Practice L8, alongside standards like BS8580 and HSG274, set out vital maintenance procedures:
- Routine Cleaning & Disinfection:
Regular scrubbing to remove biofilm and sediment, combined with effective biocides and automated chemical dosing, is essential. - Temperature & Flow Management:
Maintaining lower water temperatures and avoiding stagnation through weekly flushing helps keep bacterial levels in check. - Side Stream Filtration:
Installing filtration systems continuously cleans tower water, reducing nutrient build-up that supports bacterial growth. - Proper Documentation:
Detailed recordkeeping and logbooks are crucial to verify that maintenance protocols are followed and to provide evidence of compliance.
PTS stays up-to-date on all UK regulations to advise clients on legal compliance and best practice for Legionella control. Please let me know if this covers the UK perspective appropriately or if you would like me to modify anything further.
How PTS Can Help with Legionella
Growth in Cooling Towers
With over 10 years specialising in Legionella control and cooling tower maintenance, PTS has the expertise to help facilities stay compliant and safe. Our qualified technicians perform water sampling, chemical cleans, disinfection, repairs and full maintenance across all industries.
We follow best practice guidance and strive to be leaders in helping clients reduce Legionella risks. Contact us today for a cooling tower assessment or maintenance quote tailored to your needs.
Contact PTS today to have one of our experts assess your cooling towers and risks. We can develop a cost-effective maintenance plan compliant with all UK guidance.
Phone: 01922 451646
Email: enquiries@legionellatestingservices.co.uk
Address: Unit 27 Birchbrook Industrial Estate, Shenstone, Lichfield, Staffs, WS14 0DJ
By following proper maintenance procedures for cooling towers, facilities can greatly reduce risks of Legionella bacteria growth. This protects staff and the public from exposure to potential infection. PTS is committed to helping clients across the UK take control of Legionella through testing, cleaning, water treatment, repairs and more.
Don’t leave safety to chance – partner with the cooling tower experts at PTS to ensure your towers are compliant and risks are minimised. Maintained towers mean healthier facilities.
FAQs
Guidelines recommend testing cooling tower water for Legionella bacteria at least quarterly, or more frequently if results are positive. Testing helps gauge disinfection programme effectiveness.
Cooling towers should operate at the lowest temperatures possible to discourage Legionella growth, ideally below 20°C. Temperatures should never exceed 45°C.
Yes, towers located near air intakes can more easily spread contaminated droplets indoors. A risk assessment should inform proper tower placement.
Diligent maintenance following all guidance significantly reduces risks but does not completely eliminate them. Additional monitoring is still required.
Open towers evaporate pure water, requiring frequent replenishment. Closed towers recirculate water, concentrating dissolved solids over time. Both require proper maintenance.
We operate nationwide, across the UK. So, rest assured, if you have issues with legionella outbreaks – are in need of control or preventative measures – we can help. Don’t hesitate to get in contact with our team.