Legionella can grow in places like cooling towers, spa pools, hydrotherapy baths and hot and cold water systems – to name just a few, where temperatures are high enough to support bacteria growth and the network is insufficiently managed.
The optimum temperature for Legionella growth and multiplication is between 20-45°C. Anything lower than 20°C is too cool for the bacteria to activate, and anything above 60°C is too hot for it to survive.
Legionnaire’s disease is caught by simply breathing in small droplets of water that contain Legionella particles.
Employees, visitors, customers, clients and anyone else in your premises run the risk of being exposed to contaminated water, and so it’s essential you have appropriate measures in place.
As an employer, it’s your responsibility to control any risks associated with Legionella exposure.