Legionella after lockdown!

[bear]

Any thoughts on legionella after lockdown? When hotels, leisure centres etc open after lockdown for normal buisness would those Buisness’s have to flush through their pipes before allowing customers in. With the weather as it is and stagnant water in pipes it’s a perfect breeding ground for legionella. Open a shower, perfect to get that legionella airborne!!! What’s everybody’s thoughts?!!

 

[Last Plumber]

I know that the local authority buildings I work in still have maintenance staff in doing their routine monitoring. If they are closed down fully then yes, they would need to ensure everything is safe before re-opening.

I would think that a lot of commercial private businesses will not even consider risks like that. I can think of a few of my own industrial customers who wouldn't give it a second thought.

There will be a lot learned during and following this situation.

 

[Mrb]

There were some commercial landlords advertising for plumbers to go round their buildings whilst in lockdown.
Not sure what they were paying but was tempted to apply but didn’t fancy doing the mileage.

 

[oz-plumber]

Not much, unless the water is stored at temperatures constantly between 40C & 50C degrees.
If the water is cooled to less than 20C for a period of time the disease is dormant or inactive.

 

[bear]

Legionella bacteria is commonly found in water. The bacteria multiply where temperatures are above 20 - 45 degrees centigrade. That’s a quote from hse.gov

 

[Chuck]

Any thoughts on legionella after lockdown?

I'd say always start with a risk assessment and then work from there.

I'd have thought that legionella is something that one would definitely not want to have alongside covid-19