DREW INDUSTRIAL DIVISION COOLING WATER TREATMENT

Legionella Frequently Asked Questions

What is Legionella? contracting LD include smokers, organ transplant patients,

Legionella is the name given to a genus of bacteria of which
40 species have been identified. Legionellae are rod-shaped,
aerobic organisms that are widespread and commonly
present in both natural and man-made aquatic environ-
ments. While many of these species have been associated
with human disease, Legionella pneumophila, which means
lung-loving, is the most virulent. Of the fourteen
Legionella pneumophila serogroups identified, serogroups 1,
4 and 6 account for approximately 90% of reported cases of
Legionellosis.
What is Legionellosis?
Legionellosis is the term used for infections caused by the
inhalation of airborne water droplets containing the
Legionella pneumophila bacteria. There are two clinical
forms of Legionellosis:
Pontiac Fever is a nonfatal, flu-like illness that typi-
cally lasts for five to ten days. This illness is generally
mild and often undiagnosed; therefore, statistical in-
formation on its occurrence is sparse.
Legionnaires disease is a severe respiratory infection
that can cause serious complications and possibly
death. Signs and symptoms of Legionnaires disease
resemble other bacterial pneumonias, making diagno-
sis and treatment difficult. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that between
10,000 and 50,000 cases occur each year. The fatality
rate is estimated at 15 to 20 percent; however, in immu-
nosuppressed persons or those with other underlying
diseases, this figure can be much higher.
How is Legionnaires disease
transmitted?
Legionnaires disease (LD) is caused by inhaling airborne
droplets or mist containing viable Legionella pneumophila,
which are small enough to pass deep into the lungs. Most
healthy people are resistant to infections caused by the
Legionella bacteria; however, some people are at an in-
creased risk. Individuals who have an increased risk of
patients with cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, kidney
disease, and any immunosuppressed condition.
What environmental factors support
the amplification of Legionella?
Legionella organisms are widespread and are found in natu-
ral and man-made water systems. Conditions that favor the
growth of Legionella include:
Water temperatures in the range of 68 to 122 F (20 to
50 C).
Stagnant water conditions especially those found in
certain water systems containing tanks, reservoirs, ba-
sins, fittings, piping, etc.
Scale, sediments and sludges.
The presence of biofilms, which provide nutrient
sources and protect the organisms from microbiocides
that would otherwise destroy Legionella.
What are the most common sources of
Legionella associated with
Legionnaires disease?
The most common sources of Legionella-contaminated aero-
sols causing infection are water systems having ideal envi-
ronmental factors that favor growth. Areas that provide the
greatest Legionella growth and transmission through aero-
sols include cooling towers, evaporative condensers, hu-
midifiers, misters, domestic hot water systems, showers,
spas and whirlpools and decorative fountains.
Can Legionnaires disease be
prevented?
Legionella bacteria are pervasive and proliferate in many
water sources. Therefore the organism cannot be fully
eradicated. However, by implementing an effective Le-
gionella risk management program, it is possible to reduce
the potential for growth, dissemination and transmission of
the organism, and subsequently reduce the potential for ex-
posure to the bacteria.

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DREW INDUSTRIAL DIVISION One Drew Plaza, Boonton, New Jersey 07005 Tel: (973) 263-7600 Fax: (973) 263-4483
Does Drew Industrial Division offer a
Legionella risk management program?
Drew Industrial Division has extensive, global experience
treating Legionella in industrial cooling systems and offers
an effective 5-component Best Practices Legionella risk
management program. Best Practices is a proactive, com-
prehensive, system approach to minimizing the prolifera-
tion of Legionella through both mechanical and chemical
assessment, treatment, and monitoring. Drew Industrials
Best Practices program is based on years of experience as
well as key recommendations published by authoritative
agencies in both the United States and United Kingdom.
What is Drew Industrials Best
Practices Legionella risk management
program?
Drew Industrials Best Practices Legionella risk manage-
ment program consists of the following components:
System Assessment A comprehensive mechanical
and chemical assessment of the water systems poten-
tial for Legionella contamination. The assessment be-
gins with a formal survey for the evaluation of specific
risk factors, followed by an assessment of the level of
bacterial contamination and development of action
plans to reduce bacterial levels.
Intensive Microbiological Treatment Program Ap-
plication of a customized, intensive microbiological
treatment program specifically designed to minimize
Legionella contamination. The Best Practices microbio-
logical program includes both oxidizing and nonoxi-
dizing microbiocides that are expected to be effective
on Legionella. Drew Industrials intensive microbiologi-
cal treatment program addresses both sessile and
planktonic bacteria as well as the control of Legionella-
harboring biofilms.
Sterilization Periodic disinfecting discourages the
growth of Legionella as well as their host organisms.
Monitoring - An effective Drew Industrial Best Prac-
tices Legionella risk management program is dependent
on maintaining a consistent level of performance and
control. Routine monitoring of critical water param-
eters and system indicators is the best means of assur-
ing system cleanliness and enhancing program
effectiveness. Drew Industrial offers a wide range of
both on-line and off-line control and monitoring sys-
tems designed to accommodate a variety of applica-
tions of all levels of complexity.
Documentation - Our Best Practices documentation
package provides a record system to assist with the se-
lection of proper precautionary measures and treat-
ments to minimize exposure.
Is routine testing for Legionella
recommended?
Most professional and government agencies that have is-
sued Legionella position statements and guidelines do not
recommend testing on a routine basis because of the diffi-
culty in interpreting Legionella test results. Further, accurate
Legionella testing requires a 10-14 day turnaround time.
This period is too long to allow Legionella monitoring to
serve as a useful control tool.
If I do test for Legionella, what is the
likelihood of a positive test?
Based on published studies, most systems have a 40-60 per-
cent chance of testing positive. This high probability sub-
stantiates the importance of implementing an intensive
microbiological treatment program to minimize Legionella
growth. Prior to testing, be sure a contingency plan is in
place such as the ability to increase microbiocide dosage
rates until a hyperchlorination and cleaning of the system
can be achieved. If the system tests positive, take measures
to eliminate the organism from the system.
What should I do if my cooling tower
tests positive for Legionella?
Interpretation and action plans for various levels of
Legionella can be found in the technical paper entitled
Legionella General Information and Current Trends,
(CWT-TP-65). Contact your Drew Industrial representative
for further details and information.
Why do systems that are effectively
treated still show positive results?
Legionella, like all bacteria, are continuously inoculating
cooling towers through the cooling water makeup and air-
borne particles that are scrubbed from the air. Increasing
the existing microbiocide dosages can usually reduce these
levels. If Legionella levels within the system do not respond
to increased biocide treatment, then further investigation
for potential growth sites that may not be evident during
routine visible inspection must be researched. A complete
hyperchlorination and/or off-line cleaning may be neces-
sary.
Is an adequately maintained,
performance-based cooling water
program sufficient in controlling
Legionella growth within the system?
Only to a limited extent. Alternating microbiocides with
proper levels of oxidizers within the framework of a per-
formance-based program reduce all bacteria growth (in-
cluding Legionella) within a system. However, Legionella
reduction is not the primary objective of these programs.
Performance-based programs are designed to minimize
CWT-FS-033 Rev. 4
scale, corrosion and to ensure clean heat transfer surfaces.
The Drew Industrial Best Practices Legionella risk manage-
ment program is designed to specifically identify and ad-
dress conditions that promote Legionella growth within the
water system. Legionella risk management programs are
more intensive than standard performance-based programs
and therefore are frequently more aggressive and higher in
cost.
What safety precautions should be
taken in and around cooling towers
that are suspected of containing
Legionella growth sites?
It is always prudent to be cautious about Legionella at each
location. However, in all reported cases, it is understood
that infection has been acquired by inhaling very small
droplets of water contaminated with a virulent strain of
Legionella. Thus, for infection to occur, there must be:
A source of Legionella pneumophila
Aerosol production
Sufficient organisms to initiate infection
Susceptible individual
In cooling towers where aerosols are present, a minimum of
eye protection and a NIOSH-approved half-face air-purify-
ing respirator equipped with a particulate filter (HEPA) is
suggested as personal protective equipment. For additional
information refer to the OSHA web site at http://
www.osha-slc.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iii/otm_iii_7.html
section 2e.
What are some of the features of Drew
Industrials Best Practices Legionella
risk management program?
The 5-component Drew Industrial Best Practices Legionella
risk management program is designed to minimize specific
factors that favor Legionella growth, dissemination and
transmission in industrial water systems. This comprehen-
sive approach not only addresses chemical treatment and
control, but also emphasizes the need to eliminate mechani-
cal systemic conditions that favor Legionella growth. Our
program is supported by products and programs such as:
A complete selection of oxidizing microbiocides in-
cluding chlorine, bromine and chlorine dioxide-based
products.
Effective organic microbiocides specific for biofilm
control such as BIOSPERSE 254 or BIOSPERSE 255
microbiocide.
PERFORMAX MILLENNIUM high performance,
oxidant-resistant corrosion and deposit control pro-
gram.
A complete selection of ONGUARD controllers and
monitoring equipment, including specialized ORP sys-
tems to accommodate a wide range of applications.
The availability of accurate microbiological monitoring
programs ranging from dip slides, rapid ATP method-
ologies and Legionella detection.
Investment protection programs for proactive equip-
ment maintenance.
DREW SYSTEMS MANAGER program and
DREWTRAX treatment program software and data
management programs.
How can I obtain additional
information on developing a Best
Practices Legionella risk management
program for my facility?
Contact your local Drew Industrial representative or visit
Drew Industrials website at www.drewindustrial.com.
CWT-FS-033 Rev. 4