Sheltered Accommodation Providers
Hi All,
Have you heard the storey about the Legionella positive results obtained from a sheltered accommodation block in Lincoln?
No one was infected, but drastic steps have been taken to prevent any of the 51 elderly residents catching the disease.
Well done to the Council, we take our hats off to you for implementing what seems to be the most robust safety measure of all which is to provide an alternative water supply! This step is normally considered the ultimate precaution, and if at the time the team considered this measure proportionate to the risk then who are we to say it was the wrong or right one.
However, thousands of samples and sites water supplies test positive and in some situations high count positives for Legionella every year but they seem to manage the situation without any infections, change of water supply or public notoriety.
Whilst any response that prevents an infection should be seen as a positive one. The response should be measured, effective and in our opinion discreet if possible. If managed properly a high positive count doesn’t necessarily need to mean likely to cause infection. For example, once the result was identified, if residents were prevented from any significant exposure to aerosol, then the likelihood of infection would be significantly reduced or even practically eliminated.
It would also be interesting to know whether the positive counts were found in the hot water supply, the cold water supply, mains supply or all of them as the measures implemented could be different for each.
There are also many products on the market today that can be used to disinfect water systems safely without major disruption to building occupants or the water supply. Whilst the appropriate product to use depends on the situation, it is quite possible to disinfect a system without evacuation or restriction on general domestic water use or even drinking.
Pasteurising hot supplies for example is a quick way of treating a hot water system that has a Legionella positive count. Simply turning the boilers and water heater thermostats up to 70°C and then circulating this hot water throughout the system and holding the temperature in the entire system at 70° for a minimum of one hour can eradicate Legionella.
Cold water systems can be treated with chemical disinfection products that allow the water services to remain live and in use. Once the bacteria is killed, further control measures could be put in place to conduct more deeper cleaning if particular areas have raised concerns.
By implementing the above, the only restrictions on water use during the process would be exposure to aerosol, and the exposure to very hot water, as such supervised water use or careful instructions to residents could be sufficient to keep everybody safe.
Maybe a few bottles of drinking water for any inconvenience during the “water hygiene management and disinfection works” would be a nice compliment but providing a complete alternative water supply is a major undertaking.
Providing an alternative supply of water can be a logistical nightmare and can create a bit of hysteria as residents begin to speculate. This in itself often creates unnecessary attention that can escalate to unwanted or needed notoriety.
The Legionella bug can be dangerous one and we all need to understand that. However with careful planning, a clear understanding of the risks and an effective control and risk management regime, it is possible to manage the risk of Legionella in a way that protects you, your organisation and visitors and occupants of the buildings you manage.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-20565875