Review article

Technical measures to prevent the propagation of bacteria Legionella spp. in hot water supply systems

Anita Rakić ; Nastavni zavod za javno zdravstvo Splitsko-dalmatinske županije, Split, Hrvatska
Dinko Ljoljo ; Opus optimus d.o.o., Zagreb, Hrvatska
Davor Ljubas ; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Fakultet strojarstva i brodogradnje, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

Continuous maintenance of hot and cold drinking water quality in residential buildings, in particular regarding the microbiological requirements for water quality, is a major challenge for professionals from different fields. At the same time, they all also share the responsibility for the health of humans using the water. The paper gives an overview of the occurrence and development of the pathogenic bacteria Legionella spp. in drinking water supply systems, with an emphasis on the subsystem for domestic hot water. The pathogenic bacteria of the genus Legionella can be found in natural watercourses, from which they enter the water supply systems and subsequently the households. They pose a threat to human health, causing Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia, whereas infections are usually caused by L. pneumophila of the serogroup 01. They enter the human respiratory system from the contaminated environment in the form of hydroaerosol. The paper further shows the legal requirements for the quality of drinking water and gives examples of the limitations related to the presence of Legionella spp. that exist in some countries. Additionally, the technical solutions for a successful inactivation of Legionella spp. are also presented.

Keywords

drinking water; Legionella spp.; domestic hot water; biofilm; inactivation

Hrčak ID:

160335

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/160335

Publication date:

27.6.2016.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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