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Legionnaires' Disease and its Impact on Water Supply Management
Author(s) -
BARROW G. I.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
water and environment journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1747-6593
pISSN - 1747-6585
DOI - 10.1111/j.1747-6593.1987.tb01197.x
Subject(s) - legionella , potable water , environmental science , sewage , water supply , legionnaires' disease , environmental health , water quality , environmental engineering , environmental protection , biology , medicine , legionella pneumophila , ecology , bacteria , genetics
SYNOPSIS T he C urrent S tate of knowledge about Legionnaires' disease and Legionella organisms is reviewed briefly. The implications for water supply management and responsibility are discussed. Legionella organisms are present naturally in the environment in water and soil and, as opportunist respiratory pathogens which could occur indirectly in potable supplies, albeit in small numbers, they are of concern to water undertakings. They are a relatively uncommon cause of pneumonia, affecting mainly but not exclusively middle aged and elderly men, especially those with a history of recent travel. The organisms do not spread from one person to another but are acquired by inhalation of infected aerosols from environmental or man‐made water reservoirs. There is no evidence for transmission by ingestion. I n potable water Legionella organisms are therefore highly unlikely to constitute a direct hazard to health, and their presence does not mean that the supply is non‐potable or indeed unsatisfactory in bacteriological quality. Warm temperatures, stagnation and the use of unsuitable fixtures and fittings can provide conditions suitable for growth and subsequent incorporation of the organisms in aerosols from taps, showers, and other outlets. Significant hazards, however, are more likely to occur from hot‐water services and from recirculating cooling towers and humidifiers associated with air conditioning installations in large and often recently constructed buildings. Legionella organisms presumably must occur in sewage, but it is unlikely that subsequent environmental conditions would favour significant growth though little is known about this or their possible role in animal diseases or in agricultural practice. Their occurrence in water and sewage treatment works is highly unlikely to present any real hazard to workers. The main impact of these organisms for the future is likely to be in the design and engineering aspects of large buildings and their water‐related services.