High Risk Manufactured Water Systems
Legislation
The new SA Public and Environmental Health (Legionella) Regulations and Guidelines for the Control of Legionella in Manufactured Water Systems in SA are now in force.
Inspection & Sampling of Systems
The Public and Environmental (Legionella) Regulations 2008 requires annual inspections of High Risk Manufactured Water Systems be carried out by Council. As part of this requirement, samples must also be taken by Council from these systems to determine the concentration of Legionella present in the water.
Cooling Water & Warm Water Systems
Cooling water systems that are not well maintained can accumulate large amounts of organic matter causing favourable conditions for the growth of Legionella. Similar to this, warm water systems provide water at temperatures within the growth range for Legionella and as a consequence require maintenance to minimise risks from Legionella.
Registration of Systems
The Public and Environmental Health (General) Regulations 2008 require building owners on which High Risk Manufactured Water Systems (HRMWS) are installed and operating to register all HRMWS (i.e. cooling water systems, warm water systems) with the Local Council of the area annually.
Notification of High Legionella Counts
The SA Public and Environmental Health (Legionella) Regulations 2008 require owners of premises in which High Risk Manufactured Water Systems are installed to notify Council of high Legionella counts within 24 hours from the receipt of results.
Legionella the Bacteria
Legionella from natural sources can enter and colonise High Risk Manufactured Water Systems such as cooling water systems (i.e. cooling towers and evaporative condensers) and warm water systems. Legionella infection or illness can result from the inhalation of aerosols containing Legionella which may be generated by these systems.
