A comprehensive legionella mitigation strategy is vital to protecting vulnerable populations from this deadly pathogen.

Among the most troublesome bacteria is Legionella. Commonly found in natural water bodies, their presence in manmade water systems has become the conduit for the emergence and increase in Legionnaires’ Disease around the world.

With the right conditions — typically stagnant water that’s tepid to warm in temperature — Legionella thrives in piped water system biofilm. This slimy layer sticks to the inside wall of domestic water piping and provides bacteria nutrition and insulative protection against chlorine and increased water temperatures. That’s a problem, as those methods are the most commonly used to combat the presence of bacteria. 

Legionella bacteria are deadly and resilient – fatal in 10% of cases, or 25% of cases in healthcare environments. Worse yet, cases are on the rise. According to the CDC, reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the United States have increased nearly 900% between 2000 and 2018.

Commercial properties must be vigilant to reduce the threat of infection from this potentially deadly form of pneumonia. Prevention and treatment are imperative when facility managers and infection control specialists battle this virulent pathogen.

Creating a Legionella Mitigation Strategy

Commercial structures typically have large and complex water systems that can become the ideal host for Legionella and other opportunistic waterborne pathogens. 

The best protection for any structure involves the most important measure of all — the human element. With Legionella, there are no silver bullets. Battling these bacteria and other impurities requires a full-spectrum, systemic approach to protect occupants from potentially fatal pathogens.

Shashwat Nath, Senior Product Manager with Watts Water Technologies, notes that digital mixing should be the “backbone and central nervous system” of any legionella mitigation strategy.

IntelliStation® 2: The Next Generation of Digital Mixing

With its smart and connected capabilities and certifications, Watts’ IntelliStation 2 is a next-generation digital mixing valve solution that goes well beyond controlling the water temperature within a facility. It gives building owners and service contractors critical information on the valve’s performance and the potable water system’s condition in real-time. It is designed to control water temperature +/- 2 F in accordance with ASSE 1017 and with BACnet MS/TP and Modbus protocols. It communicates advanced analytics and low-noise alerts, giving a facility management team actionable insights into equipment and water system performance.

The system requires a minimum flow rate of 3 to 5 gallons/minute, so a recirculation pump will run continuously, ensuring water doesn’t stagnate in the recirculation line. The thermal energy loss is negligible when piping to and from the recirculation pump is insulated. The IntelliStation 2 is powered by Nexa™, the comprehensive, intelligent water management platform for commercial properties. Nexa empowers facility management teams with unparalleled visibility and control of the property's water system, helping to identify and mitigate risks, improve operational efficiency, and achieve sustainability targets.

The IntelliStation 2 is powered by Nexa™, the comprehensive, intelligent water management platform for commercial properties. Nexa empowers facility management teams with unparalleled visibility and control of the property's water system, helping to identify and mitigate risks, improve operational efficiency, and achieve sustainability targets.

Implementing the Multibarrier Approach

While a digital mixing system is a legionella mitigation strategy’s main line of defense against the spread of this virulent pathogen, a multibarrier approach that combines the IntelliStation 2 with the additional mitigation strategies helps to ensure the maximum possible level of protection for a property’s occupants. Remember, these bacteria are resilient; they can repopulate and find food sources throughout a facility's plumbing infrastructure without multiple layers of protection, including:

• Routine testing: Proactive facility managers have found that routine testing of water samples is vital to preventing the growth and spread of Legionella. A regular testing regimen protects occupants from harm and demonstrates a commitment to care. It's smart business, both from an internal and external reputational perspective. Without proper precautions, your facility is one exposure incident away from bad press coverage, possible litigation, or worst of all, loss of life.
• Battling biofilm: Biofilm is a buffet for bacteria. It's where legionella hides, seeks protection, and feeds, allowing the pathogens to evade mitigation strategies and multiply. Effective legionella control requires a strategy for attacking biofilm buildup, and the most effective method is to keep the water flowing. Continuous recirculation prevents stagnation and reduces biofilm buildup.
• Technology's role: Technology can play a significant role in mitigating the risk of Legionella and maintaining a water management plan. Digital mixing stations, working in concert with sensors and other technology, allow for precise water temperature control and the ability to purge systems should an outbreak occur. Most connect directly to a building automation system, and some have remote monitoring and control capabilities and provide real-time alerts if something is out of range. Digital mixing stations also help prevent scalding of property occupants by maintaining safe delivery temperatures at points of use, while simultaneously ensuring that storage and distribution temperatures remain high enough to inhibit and mitigate legionella growth.
• Don't forget drainage: Too often, little thought is given to the presence and role of drains in preventing the spread of harmful pathogens. The thinking goes that since they water is no longer likely to interact with a person, it is no longer a threat. This assumption could cost a life. Bacteria is prolific in drains which contain ideal conditions for growth. Once the bacteria colony is well-established, it can spread, potentially encountering and infecting occupants.

Discover the Digital Mixing Difference

The IntelliStation 2 is the next generation of digital mixing, delivering unmatched versatility and effortless efficiency for water management and legionella mitigation applications. In tandem with additional multibarrier strategies, the IntellIStation 2 delivers substantial operational benefits through automation, predictive maintenance, and energy optimization. Calculate how quickly your IntelliStation 2 digital mixing station will pay for itself with our interactive ROI Calculator and discover the potential savings compared to traditional thermostatic mixing valves. Implementing comprehensive water management solutions isn't just smart business—it's essential protection for your facility and its occupants.