Plumbers and Legionella: What you Need to Know
Legionella is a type of bacteria that grows in freshwater environments - including showers, sinks, large commercial plumbing systems, hot water tanks and even HVAC systems that use cooling towers. As a plumber, being aware of Legionella and the diseases it causes - as well as the warning signs and how to prevent it from infecting you, your crew and your clients - is of utmost importance.
How Legionella Spreads
The Legionella bacteria enters the water, growing and multiplying. For it to make people sick, it then has to be spread in such a manner that people can breathe it in -- for example, used in a humidifier or in a steamy shower, or less commonly aspirated into the lungs while drinking. These bacteria cause two major diseases of concern: Legionnaires Disease, which is a type of pneumonia, and the less severe Pontiac Fever. The extremely young, the extremely old and those with compromised immune systems are at the greatest risk from this infection.
Preventing Legionnaires’ Disease and Pontiac Fever
There are no vaccines to prevent the diseases caused by Legionella, so a sound water management program and regular maintenance of water systems is crucial to preventing the spread of disease. As a plumber, you’re on the front lines.
Legionella grows best in warm and hot water, but it can grow in any water supply. Educating your clients about the potential dangers of this bacteria, as well as the steps to reduce the bacterial load, can go a long way. Clients who use you for their hot tubs, hot water tanks and heaters, cooling towers, fountains and outdoor water features and large commercial or multi-unit plumbing systems are of particular importance.
Protecting Yourself and Your Crew
Because Legionella requires you to breathe in contaminated water, most PPE is adequate to prevent infection. A facial mask or respirator worn while working on water systems likely to harbor Legionella is usually sufficient. Maintaining proper hand washing and personal hygiene upon leaving a job site is also a sound way to reduce the risk of contracting Legionnaires Disease or Pontiac Fever.
Signs and Symptoms
Because you and your crew are working directly with water that might harbor Legionella, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of infection. If you’ve been exposed and develop Pontiac fever, you’ll develop a fever and muscle aches between 3 and 72 hours after working on the infected plumbing system.
Legionnaires Disease develops between 2 to 10 days after exposure and starts with a cough, trouble catching your breath, fever, muscle aches, headaches, and sometimes diarrhea and nausea. If you suspect exposure to legionella bacteria in any form, seek treatment from your doctor to lessen the severity of the illness and prevent serious, potentially life-threatening complications.
Referring a Client for Remediation
If you find your client’s water system is contaminated, it’s wise to call in a pro who is well-versed and certified in remediating legionella growths. Rather than risk your health, your client’s health and the health of those that visit your client’s home or business, refer them to a remediation specialist immediately. If you’re looking to specialize or expand your bottom line as a plumber, it may be worth it to seek out specialized training courses on how to deal with Legionella bacteria in water supplies, in order to offer those services directly to your clients as well as a way to diversify your client base.
Have you ever had a case of Legionnaires Disease from a job? How did it change your safety protocol moving forward?
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