TEC Water Framework provider Wave Utilities kick off trial to revolutionise legionella management practices

Date: July 25, 2024

TEC Water Framework provider Wave Utilities kick off trial to revolutionise legionella management practices

TEC members are amongst the millions of organisations in England that manually perform regular water monitoring regimes as part of their Legionella risk management activities. These activities are estimated to account for up to 8% of all non-household water consumption.  

 Committed to driving water efficiency as well as monetary savings for its customer base, TEC’s Water Framework supplier Wave Utilities has launched a trial using funding from the Market Improvement Fund where interested organisations have the opportunity to test Infersens’ remote flow/temperature sensors.  

 Data provided by the sensors will highlight if taps and systems have had sufficient flow, and so present a low risk of Legionella, meaning they don’t need manual intervention. This trial is the first of its kind in the UK and has the potential to unlock substantial water savings by reducing unnecessary wastage. 

 Visit https://www.wave-utilities.co.uk/legionella-risk-management to register your interest.  

 

What is Legionella 

• Legionella is a bacteria found in water 

• The bacteria can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a form of pneumonia, if breathed in via droplets of water from outlets such as; 

• Showers 

• Taps 

• Air conditioning units 

• Cooling towers 

• Legionellosis is a name given to any disease caused by Legionella, which can include Legionnaires’ disease but also Pontiac fever. 

Legionella Risk Management  

• Legionella bacteria multiply between 20-450C and if sufficient nutrients are available 

• The bacteria remains dormant below 200C and cannot survive above 600C 

• To minimise the risk of Legionella bacteria, water systems should be operated at temperatures to prevent bacteria growth; 

• Hot water cylinders should store water above 600C and distributed at 500C or higher 

• Cold water should be stored and distributed below 200C  

• Stagnant water aids Legionella growth, little used outlets should be flushed or potentially removed.