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What

“Legionella is a group of bacteria found in natural water sources, such as lakes, streams and groundwater. It can also be found in human-made water systems and devices. Legionella can become a health concern when it grows in these water systems and devices, is inhaled in the form of droplets and mists that were released into the air.”

 

Where

Legionella can be found in any of the following

• cooling towers 

• decorative fountains

• building plumbing systems

• hot tubs

• humidifiers

• water heaters

• shower heads and sink taps

• home plumbing systems

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Why

Because there are several health-related consequences that can result from exposure to Legionella. 

Legionella can cause two types of illness in humans: Legionnaires' disease and Pontiac fever. Legionnaires' disease is a serious respiratory illness that results in pneumonia, lasting weeks to months, and can lead to death. Pontiac fever is a milder illness, causing flu-like symptoms. People with Pontiac fever generally recover in 2 to 5 days without treatment.

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Who

Several demographics are at greatest risk to health complications when exposed:

• People over 40 years of age

• Current and former smokers

• People with chronic lung disease

• People with underlying illnesses and weakened immune systems

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When

Legionella requires regular testing and follow-up action if found, to comply with the new Vancouver Building By-law. The following is the procedure to effectively manage your building water system while maintaining compliance:

1. Results will be reported by the laboratory as ‘Legionella pneumophila - all serogroups’ (or ‘Legionella pneumophila - total’) in CFU (colony forming units) per mL or per L.

2. You must report Legionella results on-line as part of your Operating Permit. Refer to www.vancouver.ca/operating-permit
• Use the sample collection date for your on-line report.
• If your lab report includes a “less than” symbol, include it (for example, <10 CFU per mL).
• If your lab report states “not detected” (sometimes abbreviated as “ND”), please select the “not detected” checkbox on the on-line form.
• If your lab report is in units of CFU per L, you must convert this to CFU per mL by dividing by 1,000.

3. Legionella pneumophila results greater than or equal to 10 CFU per mL require corrective action, including disinfection and retesting. A response flowchart and contact information for notification purposes are available at www.vancouver.ca/operating-permit 

Additional information regarding Legionella can be found at the following links:

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Get a water systems operating permit - City of Vancouver website
https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/operating-permit.aspx

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Government of Canada - Legionella Info

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/infographic-what-is-legionella.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/legionella.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/topics/health-environment/water-quality-health.html

 

WHO - Legionella Info
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/legionellosis

 

OSHA - Legionella Control and Prevention
https://www.osha.gov/legionnaires-disease/control-prevention#considerations

 

Center for Disease Control - Water Management Plans
https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/wmp/index.html