Water Sampling for the Presence of Legionella at a Research and Development Facility

Facility management requires diligence to ensure the safety of the building’s occupants. This diligence should include a water management program for potable and non-potable water sources to prevent the growth of Legionella pneumophila.

When this bacteria is present in drinking water or water tanks, it puts building occupants at risk of developing Pontiac fever and Legionairre’s disease–the latter of which is a severe and often fatal form of pneumonia that infects 10,000 to 18,000 Americans each year.

For this very good reason, a research and development facility in Oregon contacted G2 to perform water sampling at one of the facility’s cooling towers for the presence of Legionella.

The facility had previously identified the growth of Legionella in one of the two cooling towers on the property. Soon after, they conducted multiple rounds of cleaning and disinfecting work in the water system to reduce or eliminate the presence of the bacteria in the water. The goal was to have no detectable levels of Legionella by laboratory analysis; the facility management wanted to confirm that the cleaning and disinfecting treatments had indeed eliminated the presence of the bacteria.

G2’s experienced certified industrial hygienist took a temperature reading and pH reading before collecting a water sample from the basin below the cooling tower. The sample was sent to an American Industrial Hygiene Association-accredited laboratory for analysis. All readings were in normal range and there was no detectable concentration of Legionella in the water sample.

As buildings and facilities that have been shuttered due to COVID-19 begin to reopen and welcome occupants once more, it’s critical to ensure that no problems have arisen in the facility’s systems during its closure. G2 provides water sampling and risk management consulting for the detection and prevention of Legionella growth in water systems, as well as other facility start-up services to ensure your workforce can return to work safely.

How can our team help your facility? Contact our consultants today to discuss any questions or concerns.