Biofilm: What Is It and How to Control It
Biofilms, intricate communities of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and other microscopic entities, thrive on surfaces through a remarkable process of collaboration and self-protection. Encased within a self-produced, slime-like matrix, these microorganisms firmly anchor themselves to a variety of surfaces, from the moist lining of a water pipe to the hard enamel of our teeth. While often associated with wet environments, biofilms can also adapt to less moist conditions, revealing their resilience and versatility. In this article, we’ll explore what biofilms are, where they’re found, the health concerns associated with them, and how to control them in building water systems. Definition of biofilm Biofilms are composed of different types of microorganisms, including bacterial and fungal species, that grow on and stick to the surface of a structure. A biofilm may cover natural surfaces, like teeth, or manufactured surfaces, like water pipes or water storage systems. The microorganisms that make up biofilm can be in different states, including actively multiplying, dormant, or simply associated with the biofilm structure. They can also exhibit varied phenotypes, including differences in growth rate, gene expression, and resistance mechanisms. Formation of biofilms The microorganisms in biofilms are often embedded in a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances, which provides structural support and protection. This matrix contains living and dead cells and resists antimicrobial agents like sterilants, disinfectants, and antibiotics, shielding the microbial cells within. Where biofilms are found “Wet” biofilms typically develop in aqueous environments, including natural bodies of water like rivers and oceans, as well as manufactured surfaces like water pipes, storage tanks, and wastewater treatment facilities. “Dry” biofilms are found in less moist environments. They can develop on surfaces in healthcare settings (e.g., operating rooms), on skin or food surfaces, and in indoor environments (e.g., HVAC systems). Health concerns associated with biofilms Biofilms can harbor and protect waterborne pathogens, making them more disinfectant-resistant. They are implicated in a wide range of infections, such as urinary tract infections, middle-ear infections, and implant-associated infections. Biofilms can also exacerbate chronic wounds and lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients. Bacteria in biofilms are often more resistant to antibiotics, complicating the treatment of infections. How biofilms affect plumbing systems In plumbing systems, biofilms can reduce water flow, clog pipes, and corrode plumbing materials. They can also degrade water quality by harboring waterborne pathogens and releasing them into the water supply during events that alter water pressure and flow, like nearby construction or water main breaks. Controlling biofilms in building water systems Regular maintenance, routine flushing, and cleaning of pipes can help control biofilms. Some continuous supplemental disinfectants like copper-silver ionization can penetrate biofilms, killing the microbes contained inside. Physical treatments on the incoming water supply, like UV disinfection and sediment filtration, can help prevent microbes and nutrient-containing sediment from entering the building water system and contributing to new biofilm growth. When designing new building water systems, plumbing engineers should implement designs that reduce stagnation and ensure consistent water flow to help prevent biofilms from forming. Biofilms are a common and potentially harmful occurrence in building water systems. Proper maintenance and control can help prevent health concerns associated with biofilms and keep plumbing systems functioning properly. By understanding what biofilms are, where they’re found, and how to control them, organizations can ensure the safety and quality of their building’s drinking water.
Waterborne Pathogens a Growing Concern in US Drinking Water, CDC Report Shows
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report summarizing waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States between 2015 and 2020. The report Surveillance of Waterborne Disease Outbreaks Associated with Drinking Water includes data voluntarily reported by public health agencies to the CDC through the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS). Data reported includes the waterborne pathogen implicated, outbreak-contributing factors (i.e., practices and factors that lead to outbreaks), and the setting of exposure (e.g., hospital or health care facility; hotel, motel, lodge, or inn). Outbreaks from drinking water During the surveillance period, 214 outbreaks associated with drinking water were reported, resulting in at least: The report found that 80% of outbreaks were linked to public water systems, including municipal water systems or water systems that serve an institution, camp, park, hotel, or business. The remaining outbreaks were linked to unknown water systems (10%), individual or private systems (8%), and other systems (.9%). Most implicated waterborne pathogen: Legionella Legionella caused 98% of biofilm-associated outbreaks, followed by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) at 1% and Pseudomonas at 0.5%. Over the study period, the number of Legionella-associated outbreaks increased, with Legionella being the most common cause of public water system outbreaks, responsible for 92% of outbreaks, 97% of hospitalizations, and 97% of related deaths. Leading contributing factor: Building plumbing systems Building plumbing systems were the most cited contributing factor type for all biofilm-associated pathogen outbreaks. The most reported building plumbing contributing factors were: Out of 214 reported outbreaks, 183, or 86%, included information on water treatment. Among these outbreaks, 116 (54%) drinking water systems reported using disinfection as a water treatment method, 49 (23%) systems had an unknown water treatment, and 17 (8%) drinking water systems reported having no water treatment at all. Chlorine was the most used disinfection method and was used in 37% of all outbreaks. Chloramine was used in 6% of outbreaks, while the remaining outbreaks either used an unknown water disinfection method or the method was not listed. Most common exposure settings: Hospitals and hotels Healthcare facilities (e.g., hospitals, long-term care, assisted living, or rehabilitation facilities) were identified as the exposure setting in 53% of outbreaks, causing 66% of hospitalizations and 87% of deaths. Legionella was implicated in over half of the healthcare-associated outbreaks, causing 65% of hospitalizations and 85% of deaths. Hotels, motels, lodges, or inns were the second highest exposure setting for outbreaks. They were implicated in 16% of outbreaks, all of which were caused by Legionella. Importance of water treatment and management in preventing outbreaks The CDC report highlights the growing concern of waterborne pathogens in US drinking water. Legionella was identified as the most common waterborne pathogen, causing the majority of biofilm-associated outbreaks and being responsible for the highest number of public water system outbreaks, hospitalizations, and related deaths. Effective water treatment and management of building plumbing systems is critical to prevent outbreaks and ensure safe drinking water in healthcare and non-healthcare settings. ReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Surveillance of Waterborne Disease Outbreaks Associated with Drinking Water — United States, 2015–2020. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report | CDC
Legionella Bacteria Water Sampling Methodology
This blog delves into systematic approaches for Legionella water testing, offering valuable insights into best practices and recommendations to ensure the safety of your water. Importance of quarterly Legionella sampling Building water systems are dynamic and influenced by various factors such as usage patterns, maintenance schedules, and seasonal changes in municipal water quality. These complex interactions can significantly impact water chemistry and microbiology, creating an environment where Legionella bacteria can thrive. To effectively manage and mitigate the risk of Legionella growth, it is crucial to implement regular testing protocols. Conducting quarterly Legionella testing is strongly recommended. This comprehensive approach not only captures potential seasonal fluctuations but also serves as a robust strategy to ensure the ongoing safety and maintenance of water systems. By prioritizing regular testing, building owners and operators can proactively address any emerging issues and safeguard the well-being of occupants. Sampling methodology Routine sampling for Legionella should be performed to be representative of the building’s water systems. This may be based on size, number of water systems, high-risk locations, and water usage. There are a few strategies in the industry for sampling for Legionella. One method involves taking at least ten samples. Another would be to sample 10% of outlets in the building. These rules may vary depending on the system’s size, but at minimum, it should include near, mid, and far samples, as well as other representative locations. For larger structures, collecting additional samples to account for variations across different floors, water risers, and loops is advisable. This ensures a comprehensive understanding of the system’s water quality. Following this rule strikes a balance between representative sampling and obtaining sufficient data to make informed water management and maintenance decisions. Distal site positivity rule in healthcare The risk of healthcare-associated Legionnaires’ disease significantly increases when 30% or more of distal hot water outlets, such as faucets and showers, test positive for Legionella bacteria. Conversely, the risk decreases if the percentage of positive outlets falls below 30%. This approach, establishing a distal site positivity rule of 30%, offers an effective and practical indicator of Legionella risk in healthcare facilities. By implementing this rule, facilities can proactively implement appropriate corrective actions based on the positivity level and utilize their water management program to enhance maintenance, monitoring, and diagnostic procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of their patients and staff. These measures will help mitigate the potential spread of Legionnaires’ disease and foster a healthier environment for all. Water sampling services LiquiTech provides water quality testing and diagnostics services on an ad-hoc basis or as an ongoing service when you partner with us. We will help you to proactively identify harmful contaminants in your building’s water system, provide easy-to-understand test results with interpretation and recommendations by certified water safety specialists, and help you navigate the Department of Health and other regulatory agencies with expert guidance.
Keeping Hospitals Safe: A Success Story with Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital
When Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford opened its doors in 1991, it was met with an unexpected challenge: Legionella bacteria in the building’s water system. Despite the hospital’s best efforts, traditional disinfection methods failed to control the problem, which led to two tragic patient deaths. The hospital turned to LiquiTech and the LiquiTech™ Copper-Silver Ionization System, an environmentally friendly and safe method to control Legionella, was quickly installed. Following the installation, several days of rigorous system flushing, monitoring, and water testing took place until Legionella was no longer detected. For over 30 years, the hospital’s water supply has been completely free of Legionella due to continuous monitoring, predictive services, and collaboration on interventions by LiquiTech. As Michael Zader, the hospital’s Administration Director, points out, “We’ve been waterborne pathogen-free since partnering with LiquiTech in 1991”. This success story emphasizes the importance of embracing innovative solutions when traditional methods fall short and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital’s mission to keep their hospital environment safe. Read the full case study here.
An Examination of Dead Legs, Water Flow, and Legionella Growth
The relationship between stagnant sections in building water systems, known as dead legs, water flow conditions, and the risk of Legionella, a bacterium that causes Legionnaires’ disease, is more complex and multifaceted than commonly perceived. In this article, we explore these topics in-depth, using insights from scientific studies and valuable industry observations. Understanding dead legs Dead legs refer to the segments within pipes in a plumbing system where water flow is either significantly reduced or non-existent. These stagnant areas of plumbing can become a breeding ground for bacteria and other contaminants that can compromise water quality. The lack of flow hinders proper disinfection, provides favorable growth conditions, and accumulation of contaminants which can lead to health concerns. Water flow and Legionella growth Water flow plays a crucial role in the growth of Legionella bacteria. Liu’s 2006 study examined the impact of different flow conditions, such as turbulent, laminar, and stagnant, on Legionella growth. Interestingly, the research found that turbulent flow conditions promoted the most prolific growth of Legionella, while stagnant conditions, often associated with dead legs, showed the least growth. The study hypothesized that turbulent conditions increased oxygen and nutrient availability, leading to the proliferation of biofilm and Legionella. Additionally, Lehtola’s 2006 study revealed that flowing water supported bacterial growth more than stagnant conditions, contrary to common belief. Moreover, Sidari’s 2004 research challenged the widely held belief of a direct link between dead legs and Legionella, as the removal of dead legs did not result in a negative Legionella test. These findings highlight the intricate relationship between water flow and Legionella growth. Dead legs in plumbing and Legionella The presence or absence of dead legs is not a reliable predictor for Legionella. While dead legs can negatively impact water hygiene and quality, they may not directly promote Legionella colonization in building water systems. They may, however, indirectly contribute to Legionella growth and risk of disease occurrence. Stagnant water in dead legs can serve as a potential nutrient source and a refuge for Legionella under specific conditions. Dead legs can also create low water flow areas, decrease disinfectant levels, allow the tempering of water, and increase organic load and sediment accumulation which all may increase the likelihood of Legionella colonization. Due to pressure changes in water systems, dead legs may also contaminate or impact the entire water system. Therefore, while a dead leg alone may not reliably predict Legionella, they should still be considered a potential risk factor and addressed in water management strategies to minimize the risk of Legionella growth and transmission. Emphasizing comprehensive understanding There’s merit in maintaining high water hygiene and quality standards, however, a comprehensive understanding of the actual factors leading to Legionella growth is crucial. While a dead leg can be a contributor to Legionella growth, there are other factors such as water flow that could potentially impact Legionella growth, so it’s important to take a holistic approach and look at the entire building water system. References Liu 2006: Effect of flow regimes on the presence of Legionella within the biofilm of a model plumbing system Lehtola 2006: The effects of changing water flow velocity on the formation of biofilms and water quality in pilot distribution system consisting of copper or polyethylene pipes Sidari 2004: Keeping Legionella out of water systems
Understanding Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) Bacteria in Water Systems
Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) bacteria are naturally occurring organisms commonly found in water systems. While their presence is not unusual, HPC bacteria are not regulated or routinely monitored as contaminants in drinking water due to their high variability and typically elevated concentrations. HPC bacteria and human health The presence of HPC bacteria in drinking water is a common occurrence. However, it is important to note that these bacteria do not pose direct hygienic (disease-related) significance. Extensive research conducted by experts in the field consistently fails to establish any correlation between HPC bacteria concentrations in drinking water and threats to human health. These findings provide strong evidence that consuming water with HPC bacteria does not jeopardize our well-being. Nonetheless, the detection of HPC bacteria in a drinking water system can serve as an indicator of potential underlying issues. These issues may include inadequate treatment, poor maintenance of the distribution network, or elevated contamination of water bearing equipment. It is crucial to ensure the proper monitoring of water quality and take prompt corrective actions when necessary. While HPC bacteria themselves are not harmful to humans, changes in HPC concentrations may indicate changes in water quality. Therefore, it is essential to remain vigilant in evaluating complex microbial systems. HPC bacteria and Legionella Heterotrophic plate count bacteria and Legionella are bacteria that are commonly found in water sources. Legionella is a genus of bacteria that can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia. HPC bacteria, on the other hand, are a group of bacteria that are commonly used as indicators of water quality. Though high levels of HPC in water systems can serve as an indicator of elevated microbial activity, it is not an indicator for Legionella itself. Monitoring and controlling the levels of HPC bacteria can help understand changes in water quality that potentially could impact the risk of Legionella contamination and subsequent health risks. Role of HPC monitoring in water treatment HPC monitoring plays a vital role in evaluating the effectiveness of municipal water treatment processes. Water providers strive to achieve HPC levels below 500 colony forming units per milliliter (cfu/mL) after treatment to minimize any potential interference with culture-based coliform testing, ensuring accurate and reliable results. With advancements in testing methods, these innovative approaches have successfully mitigated elevated HPC concentrations, thus eliminating any potential impact on coliform test outcomes. Variability of HPC concentrations HPC concentrations vary significantly across different water systems. Comparisons between various sources, such as New Jersey drinking water systems, dental water lines, hospital hot water, and Michigan lakes, highlight the diverse ranges in HPC presence. Water Source HPC (cfu/mL) Reference NJ drinking water system 320 to 1,000,000,000 LeChevallier et al., 1987 Michigan lakes 3,000 to >100,000 Jones et al., 1991 Tuscon, AZ tap water >3,000 Pepper et al., 2004; Chaidez and Gerba, 2004 Apartment building 300–300,000 Bagh et al., 2004 Administration building hot water 24,700–144,000 Sheffer et al., 2005 Hospital hot water 60,000 Sheffer et al., 2005 Dental water lines >3,000 Rice et al., 2006 Research building 16,000 (average) Siebel et al., 2008 New university building >10,000 Nguyen et al., 2008; Nguyen et al., 2012 Hospital hot water 8,000–27,000 Zhang et al., 2009 Hospital hot water 2,900 (average) Duda et al., 2014 New office building 1–100,000 cfu/cm2 (biofilm) Inkinen et al., 2014 Commercial buildings 3 – 2,100,000 Pierre et al., 2019 Case Study: Managing HPC bacteria challenges A case study from a California hospital in 2016 demonstrates the practical management of HPC bacteria. While preparing to open a new patient tower, the hospital found bacteria levels exceeding state and federal EPA limits in the building water system, necessitating intervention. By implementing copper-silver ionization to continuously disinfect the water system and sediment filtration to remove incoming sediment, the hospital successfully controlled bacterial levels and reduced corrosion damage to the plumbing system. While HPC bacteria are common in water systems, they do not pose a significant health threat nor serve as reliable indicators of other waterborne pathogens. Routine HPC monitoring primarily serves to track changes in water quality and treatment efficacy, rather than for health risk assessments. References Allen 2004: Heterotrophic plate count bacteria—what is their significance in drinking water? Duda 2015: Lack of correlation between Legionella colonization and microbial population quantification using heterotrophic plate count and adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence measurement Pierre 2019: Water Quality as a Predictor of Legionella Positivity of Building Water Systems
Legionella and Waterborne Pathogens 101 for Plumbing Engineers
Successful plumbing engineering involves the comprehensive understanding and meticulous control of waterborne pathogens, with a particular focus on Legionella. These harmful pathogens can infiltrate building water systems through various means, such as contaminated water sources or inadequate water treatment. To effectively mitigate the risk of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens, plumbing engineers must possess in-depth knowledge of the specific characteristics of these microorganisms, their transmission routes, and the factors that contribute to their proliferation. By implementing robust water management strategies into their system designs, plumbing engineers play a critical role in safeguarding public health and ensuring the safety of building occupants. Understanding Legionella Legionella is a gram-negative bacterium belonging to the Legionellaceae family, which encompasses more than 60 species and serogroups. Among these, approximately half have been linked to various diseases. Notably, Legionella pneumophila is responsible for over 90% of reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia that is contracted through the inhalation and aspiration of water droplets. Legionella growth in building water systems Legionella, a bacterium found naturally in surface and groundwater sources, typically exists in low concentrations in the source water. Legionella and waterborne pathogens can withstand municipal treatment processes and proliferate within building water systems that provide suitable growth factors. Legionella exhibits growth within a specific temperature range, temperatures commonly found in building water systems. Studies show elevated temperatures may reduce the potential for Legionella growth, however, it’s important to consider the impact of factors such as scale, biofilm, and water quality in buildings, as these factors may impact the effectiveness of temperature on Legionella and pathogen growth. Impact of biofilms Biofilms, which are complex communities of microorganisms, consist of cells that adhere to each other and often to a surface. These intricate structures can harbor both pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria, creating a diverse and dynamic ecosystem. By providing a protective shield, biofilms enable bacteria to withstand physical forces and disinfection measures, making them resilient and persistent. Moreover, biofilms serve as an ideal breeding ground for bacterial growth, amplification, and recolonization, perpetuating their presence and potential impact. Factors increasing risk Several factors contribute to the increased risk of Legionella and other waterborne pathogen outbreaks in buildings. These factors include the design of complex plumbing systems, which can create stagnant water areas that promote bacterial growth. Additionally, warm water environments provide an ideal breeding ground for pathogens, while increased water age further allows for the accumulation and proliferation of harmful bacteria. Moreover, low disinfection residual levels in the water supply can fail to effectively eliminate these pathogens. It is important to note that construction and renovation events in buildings can introduce additional vulnerabilities, disrupting the plumbing system and potentially exacerbating the risk of outbreaks. Sediment risk and damage Sediment buildup in plumbing systems is an additional risk factor. Sediment can accumulate over time, creating an environment that supports the growth of Legionella and other bacteria. Moreover, sediment can cause corrosion and damage to plumbing equipment, further increasing the risk of bacterial growth and system failure. Methods of Legionella reduction Engineers play a crucial and essential role in managing and reducing the risk of Legionella. By deepening their understanding of the impact of water quality on piping systems and considering Legionella risk during the design phases of building water systems, engineers can effectively implement comprehensive strategies to minimize the risk of Legionella outbreaks. The ASHRAE Standard 188, a widely recognized industry standard, establishes minimum requirements for Legionella risk management in building water systems. This standard provides clear direction and specific requirements for designing and maintaining building water systems that are safe and compliant. By adhering to these guidelines, engineers can ensure the health and well-being of building occupants while effectively mitigating the risk of Legionella contamination. For plumbing engineers, it is crucial to comprehend and regulate waterborne pathogens, such as Legionella. By implementing engineering solutions and performing risk assessments, the potential risk these pathogens pose to water quality and occupants of a building can be greatly diminished.
New Study Reveals the Role of Water Systems in Mycobacteria Contamination of Medical Devices
According to a recent breakthrough study published in Nature’s Scientific Reports, researchers have successfully isolated Mycobacterium saskatchewanense from medical devices for the first time. The study identified the healthcare facility’s water system as the likely source of contamination. Mycobacterium saskatchewanense is a non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) commonly found in soil and water environments. While not as well-known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, NTMs can still pose significant health risks, especially for individuals with weakened immune systems or pre-existing health conditions. These bacteria can form biofilms and withstand chemical treatments, making them known opportunistic pathogens in healthcare facilities. The study utilized advanced identification technologies, including the GenoType Mycobacterium CM CE-IVD kit and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). These tools allowed for precise genetic identification of the bacterium, confirming its presence on medical devices and pointing to the hospital’s water system as the likely source of contamination. The paper cited several other studies reporting elevated concentrations of mycobacteria in healthcare water systems. The plumbing systems of large structures often have areas with stagnant water, allowing biofilms to develop, which can harbor NTM. The researchers concluded that continuous and active monitoring of NTM contamination in medical devices that use water is necessary to prevent the possibility of patients becoming infected. Long-term strategies to control and prevent biofilm and Mycobacteria contamination in plumbing systems, such as through continuous disinfection of the hospital’s water system, are crucial to reducing healthcare-associated infections and ensuring patient safety. Read the full study.
ASHRAE 514: A Comprehensive Guide to Safe and Efficient Building Water Systems
ASHRAE 514, released in 2023, is an ANSI Standard that establishes a comprehensive framework for ensuring the safety and management of building water systems – excluding single-family residential structures. ASHRAE 514 applies to a wide range of stakeholders, including building owners, facility managers, engineers, and water treatment professionals and requires risk management through the design, construction, commissioning, operation, repair, maintenance, replacement, and expansion of building water systems. ASHRAE Standard 514 was developed as a companion to ASHRAE 188, which provides a risk management approach to managing the risk of Legionellosis in building water systems. While the framework of ASHRAE 188 and ASHRAE 514 are similar, ASHRAE 514 expands beyond the risk of Legionella, requiring consideration of all microbial, chemical, and physical hazards associated with the building water systems. Its thorough guidelines and recommendations help in developing effective strategies for preventing and controlling waterborne diseases, safeguarding public health and improving the overall safety and well-being of building occupants. Ensuring compliance with ASHRAE 514 To maintain alignment with ASHRAE 514’s standards, it is imperative to establish a water management team and implement a comprehensive water management program to include physical, chemical, and microbial hazards. This entails performing diligent risk assessments, implementing control measures, closely monitoring the system, promptly taking corrective action when required, verifying the effectiveness of the measures, and ensuring meticulous documentation of all activities. By adhering to this comprehensive system, organizations can efficiently mitigate water-related risks, ensuring a safe and healthy environment. Tailoring water management programs To ensure effective water management, water management programs must be customized according to the specific characteristics and vulnerabilities of each building. This process considers factors such as building size, location, usage patterns, occupant risks, and specific water bearing equipment (such as water treatment). Furthermore, the water management program must undergo regular reviews and updates to identify any emerging risks or changes that may necessitate adjustments to the program. It’s advised to designate a dedicated team responsible for overseeing the program’s execution, ensuring that water systems are maintained effectively, and risks are minimized. The dedicated water management team should have a comprehensive knowledge of the building water systems as it relates to the physical, chemical, and microbial hazards of the water systems. Specific guidelines for building water systems ASHRAE 514 provides a comprehensive set of requirements for developing water management plans for building water systems. ASHRAE Standard 514 follows the same risk management approach as ASHRAE 188 and requires: Development of a program team responsible for developing and implementing the plan, A description of the building water systems and process flow diagrams that show the location of water processing steps such as heating, storing, treatment, and recirculation. Analysis of the building water systems to determine where the hazards conditions may occur and where control measures may be applied Control measures and associated control limits Monitoring procedures, frequencies, and corrective actions to take if control limit deviate from established limits. Confirmation of the plan including verification of program implementation and validation that the program is sufficiently controlling the hazard(s) Documentation and communication procedures These requirements cover identifying areas of potential risk and implementing controls to mitigate those risks effectively. There’s also the requirement for performance indicators and validation procedures to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the water management program. Adherence to these guidelines enhances the safety and reliability of the water systems, safeguarding individuals, and communities. Design and documentation of building water systems ASHRAE 514 emphasizes the importance of integrating thorough water system management considerations from the initial design phase of a building. It stipulates that there must be detailed documentation of the water system design and installation to minimize potential risks, any changes therein, and management decisions made throughout its lifecycle. Following design and installation, ASHRAE 514 requires balancing of the building water systems to ensure proper flow and pressure, and that the startup procedures for building water system to be included, such as confirmation of operation, flushing, and disinfection of building water system. It aims to ensure the efficient and effective management of water systems in buildings, thus promoting optimal performance and risk mitigation. Additional requirements for healthcare facilities Given the heightened vulnerability of hospital occupants, ASHRAE 514 sets forth specific requirements for healthcare facilities. These requirements follow a similar water management framework but include additional considerations around patient risks and infection prevention. These provisions aim to ensure the utmost safety and well-being of patients and staff alike. Healthcare facilities must conduct comprehensive risk assessments, implement stringent control measures, and maintain robust validation and documentation procedures to track and monitor compliance. ASHRAE 514 provides a comprehensive set of standards for managing building water systems, prioritizing minimizing the risk of Legionella. Adhering to these guidelines ensures a safer and healthier environment for all building occupants.
Case Study: Copper-Silver Ionization Resolves High Bacteria Levels
In 2016 while preparing to open a new patient tower, a California hospital found bacteria levels exceeding state and federal EPA limits in the building water system. To address this issue, they deployed multiple rounds of hyperchlorination, which is the process of adding an excessive amount of chlorine to the building water system in an attempt to kill bacteria. After three unsuccessful rounds of hyperchlorination, the hospital sought the expertise of LiquiTech. LiquiTech worked with the hospital to implement a solution that included the installation of a LiquiTech™ Copper-Silver Ionization System and a LiquiTech™ Sediment Filtration System, hot water system improvements, and ongoing LiquiTech services, including proactive maintenance, monitoring, and water quality testing. After two months, the hospital’s water system test results showed bacteria levels within state and federal EPA limits, allowing the new patient tower to open. By implementing these solutions, the hospital is able to provide a safe and healthy environment for their patients, staff, and visitors. To learn more, read the full case study here.
