Legionella Monitoring

Water Monitoring System for Legionella Disease

Legionella disease is a severe lung infection caused by LP (Legionella Pneumophila) bacteria which exist in fresh water. In nature, this bacterium exists in such low concentrations that infections are rare. However, large plumbing systems, such as those found in hospitals, retirement homes, hotels, and cruise ships can provide a favorable environment for LP bacteria to grow. Past Legionella disease outbreaks in the US have occurred in hospitals and retirement homes that are frequented by people with compromised immune systems who are susceptible to contracting the disease. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), approximately 10,000 cases of Legionella disease are reported each year in the US.

The Veterans Health Administration has published VHA Directive 1061 to establish measures for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated Legionella disease in VHA-owned buildings. GDS (Global Data Specialists), a leading control systems integrator focused on the water industry has created an automated WMS (Water Monitoring System) for VA hospitals to monitor, track, and report conditions that are favorable for LP bacteria to grow. WMS does not test for LP bacteria directly; instead it looks for specific water conditions that may be conducive for LP growth. WMS is designed to alert facility managers if one or more of these parameters falls outside specified ranges.

Highlights of WMS

WMS can be designed to monitor water flowing through a plumbing system continuously or on-demand. VHA Directive 1061 calls for continuous sampling and reporting at least once every 30 mins.
WMS can be designed to monitor both hot and cold water.
In a continuous monitoring system, WMS is integrated into a building’s plumbing systems and installed permanently at specified locations throughout a building.
Stationary water monitoring stations are a key components of WMS in a continuous monitoring system.
In a continuous monitoring model, WMS can integrate with an existing Building Management System (BMS) to automatically collect and report data for centralized reporting and analysis of the entire plumbing system.
In the on-demand monitoring model, WMS offers a portable solution with quick disconnects that can be taken from one place to another within a building for ad hoc sampling.
Portable water monitoring stations are a key components of WMS in an on-demand monitoring system.
Quick disconnects can be installed at strategic points, allowing the portable system to quickly and cleanly attach to these sites.
Once connected, the system will display the current water conditions for the site.
In an on-demand implementation, data provided by WMS is depicted in the graphical display of an OIT (Operator Interface Terminal).
Additionally, if there is a network connection available, this too can tie into the BMS, or the data can be stored on an SD Card for reporting and analysis.
GDS can customize WMS to meet your specific needs.

To ensure that your hospital is keeping its occupants safe and healthy, schedule a consultation with GDS today! Contact Tim Swietek at 480-461-3401, 623-326-9721, or tim@gbl-data.com.