Legionella is often misunderstood. Here are five common myths.
1. “It only affects old buildings.” New buildings can have problems too, especially if water sits unused during construction. See our guide on new builds and commissioning.
2. “It comes from air conditioning.” Legionella grows in water systems. Showers, taps, tanks and some water features can all be relevant, depending on the building.
3. “If the water looks and smells fine, it is fine.” Legionella cannot be seen or smelled. That is why a risk assessment and, where appropriate, sampling are used.
4. “You can catch it from another person.” According to the HSA’s information, Legionnaires’ disease is not passed from person to person. People are infected by breathing in tiny droplets of contaminated water.
5. “A clear sample means we can stop.” A sample shows the position on the day it was taken. Ongoing control, flushing, temperatures and records matter. See our guide on sampling vs risk assessment.
Your duties
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 expects employers to manage risks to health, and the HPSC national guidelines give practical guidance on controlling legionella in water systems.
Safer Solutions provides legionella risk assessments and sampling, with samples analysed by an independent accredited laboratory. Call 086 275 9728 or email info@safersolutions.ie to talk it through.