A fountain in a hotel foyer. A misting system on a restaurant terrace. A water wall in a shopping centre. They look great, but they have something in common: they can produce a fine spray of water droplets that people may breathe in.
Why do they matter?
Legionella bacteria can grow in water that is warm, stagnant and contains nutrients. If contaminated water is turned into a spray or mist, people nearby could breathe in tiny droplets. Water features that recirculate the same water, sit unused, or run in warm conditions can be a risk.
Features worth a second look
- Indoor and outdoor decorative fountains
- Misting and cooling systems
- Water walls and ponds
- Vegetable misters in shops
- Plant-room humidifiers and similar equipment
Practical steps
- Include them in your legionella risk assessment. If a feature is not on the assessment, it is not being managed.
- Keep water moving and clean. Stagnant or dirty water makes problems more likely.
- Control temperature where you can. Avoid warm water, and keep features out of direct heat.
- Clean and disinfect on a schedule. Your risk assessment and the equipment supplier should set out what suits your feature.
- Check before use. Features that sit idle, such as in winter, should be checked and cleaned before switching back on.
- Keep a logbook. Record cleaning, checks and any treatment. See our guide on the legionella logbook.
- Review after changes. A new feature or move to a different location should prompt another look.
Your duties
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, employers must manage risks to health, and the HPSC national guidelines give practical advice on controlling legionella in water systems.
Let us help
A legionella risk assessment from Safer Solutions covers the whole water system, including features people sometimes forget. Call 086 275 9728 or email info@safersolutions.ie for a friendly chat. See common legionella risks in buildings.