Legionella Testing and Evaluation

The Environmental Health and Safety divisions of more and more facilities are requiring a proper testing program for Legionella testing and evaluation for their cooling tower systems. Since cooling towers are open systems to the environment, it is easy for bacteria to be pulled into the systems. Since the cooling water is usually warm, especially in the summer months, this provides an ideal atmosphere for the Legionella propagation. Low levels of the bacteria can be present without the possibility of causing disease in humans (Legionaire’s Disease). Knowing if the bacteria are present, even in low levels, can help make informed decisions regarding the chemical program. Some facilities still use the “head in the sand” mentality of not testing for Legionella. Instead these facilities may over feed biocide to compensate thus jeopardizing system components with high corrosion load and increasing chemical costs.