By Carole Armstrong, Senior Marketing Manager, AQUATOOLS Hygiene
Water is a vital element often taken for granted. We drink it, wash with it and use it to maintain good hygiene. However, in care facilities it is vulnerable to potential contamination as it flows through the pipework to the tap. Buildings, owners and facility managers have a duty to monitor and ensure the bacteriological quality of the water.
Biofilm develops naturally in water distribution systems, coating the interior of pipes and taps. It provides an ideal environment for bacteria to develop, in terms of temperature, nutrients and moisture levels. If not treated correctly, biofilm becomes the perfect breeding ground for pathogens such as Legionella.
Legionella bacteria proliferate in pipework where water temperatures fluctuate between 25°C and 45°C and where low usage levels allow water to stagnate. As Legionella bacteria develop, they detach from the biofilm and are released in aerosols when taps or showers are turned on.
The points-of-use at highest risk are those that expose users to these aerosols. The obvious source is showers but taps also create aerosols which carry the Legionella bacteria and once inhaled, they can cause serious infections. Users with weakened immune systems, chronic respiratory illnesses and elderly people are most at risk.
Duty holders must regularly monitor and maintain the system, carrying out frequent microbiological analyses. Well managed water systems will control the risk of Legionella, but if contamination does occur, point-of-use filtration technologies will guarantee the water quality until an engineered solution is found. Installing filters also avoids moving vulnerable patients from compromised areas which could otherwise put their health and well-being at risk.
As a short-term solution, AQUATOOLS point-of-use filters provide immediate protection, acting as a physical barrier against Legionella. They are easy to install on taps and showers, guaranteeing the water quality at the outlet – and avoiding building closure – until a lasting solution is found.
AQUATOOLS filters can also be used as a preventative measure to prevent contamination in areas with a high infection risk. They comply with current standards and guarantee the absence of Legionella and other waterborne bacteria, while restoring the bacteriological quality of the water at the point-of-use.
Discover more at https://www.aquatools.uk.