263 Pinks and Blues: Answering Your Legionella Questions

In 1976, there was an outbreak of a mysterious disease that caused attendees of the American Legion Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to suffer from a pneumonia-like disease. It was discovered that this disease was caused by a bacteria later named Legionella; to commemorate the Legionnaires who suffered and lost their lives from this disease.

This month, we are celebrating Legionella Awareness Month by celebrating information about this bacteria. As Water Treaters, we can help educate the public that Legionella exists and that there are people out there that are more susceptible to it. If you own a building, it is your responsibility to make sure that you understand the water that’s in your building and that there is potential for this bacteria to grow within that building’s water system. The more we know, the better we can educate other people; the better we can do for ourselves and our companies.

In this episode, I am answering your questions about Legionella: How was Legionella discovered? What should you do if your water system tests positive for Legionella, or worse, if there is a Legionella outbreak in your community? What should the public know about Legionella? Can Legionella only be found in Cooling Towers? What’s the difference between Pontiac Fever and Legionnaires Disease? Why is everyone asking water treaters to test ice machines for Legionella these days? Nation, these are just some listener questions I’ll be answering today.

Thank you to all of the listeners who keep submitting excellent show ideas to our team! We couldn’t do the show without you. 

Bottom line: Let’s celebrate Legionella Awareness Month by making sure we are armed with information about the Legionella Bacteria and Legionnaires Disease.

Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client. 

-Trace 

 

Timestamps: 

We are celebrating Legionella Awareness Month by celebrating information [01:52]

How and when Legionella was first discovered? [04:06]

What fascinates me most about Legionella? [08:43]

How should the public react when they hear there is a Legionella outbreak? [11:39]

What resources can water treaters use to educate ourselves and clients about Legionella? [15:44]

What are the things to consider when making a Water Management Plan?  [21:17] 

What do we do if a Water System tests positive for Legionella? [28:19]

In what environment does Legionella Bacteria grow? [35:24]

What agencies should you be familiar with if we want to learn about Legionella? [40:14]

Thinking On Water With James [45:52]

 

Thinking On Water With James:

In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about jar testing. What kind of equipment do you use? How do you make down and dose coagulants and polymers? What is the math involved in making down and dosing? How long do you stir each test? At what speed should each step be stirred? Does your standard procedure match the actual conditions of the system? If not, how might you adjust your procedure? Do you use round jars or square? Are there guidelines on where to start with certain types of waters? How would you teach someone else how to do a jar test? Take this week to think about jar testing and what you may still need to learn. 

 

Quotes:

“Legionella is the actual name of the bacteria. Legionnaires Disease is a type of pneumonia that you get when you get sick from Legionella Bacteria.” - Trace Blackmore

“Serogroup 1 or Legionella Pneumophila is the most hazardous species of Legionella when it comes to a health concern.”  - Trace Blackmore

“Legionella Bacteria is out there, and if you own a building, it is your responsibility to make sure that you understand the water that’s in your building and there is potential for Legionella Bacteria to grow within a building’s water system.” - Trace Blackmore

“We are never going to get rid of Legionella, it’s always going to be here, but we do need to take care of people that might be susceptible to Legionella.” - Trace Blackmore

“Water Treaters should educate the public that there is a bacteria out there called Legionella and that certain people are more susceptible to it than other people.” - Trace Blackmore

“A Water Management Plan is the Water Treater and the Building Owner’s friend.” - Trace Blackmore

“If you don’t know, document what you don’t know. If you are making some assumptions, document what those assumptions are. “ - Trace Blackmore

“Ignorantia juris non excusat” (Ignorance of the law excuses not)

“Ignorantia legis neminem excusat” (Ignorance of law excuses no one)

 

Connect with Scaling UP! H2O:

Email: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com (podcast producer)

Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea

Trace Blackmore on LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/

Scaling UP! H2O on Facebook: @H2OScalingUP

Scaling UP! H2O on YouTube: ScalingUpH2o.com/YouTube

 

Visit  our Scaling UP! H2O Legionella Resources Page:

Legionella Resources

 

Links Mentioned:   

Legionella Bacteria

Legionella Bacteria

The American Legion

212 The One About What To Do When Your System Tests Positive For Legionella

Alberto Comazzi on LinkedIn 

The Rising Tide Mastermind

Submit a Show Idea

AWT (Association of Water Technologies)

 

Resources Mentioned:

Check out our Legionella Resources page for dozens of links to websites, articles, graphics, and episodes by clicking HERE