Disinfection of a water system contaminated with legionella bacteria in a hospital
If the entire hot water system in buildings cannot be regularly heated to around 60 degrees Celsius, legionella bacteria can multiply in the water. This poses an acute health risk. Older buildings with long water pipes and irregular use are particularly at risk.
- What is being treated? Hot and cold water system in a hospital building complex
- With which product? Sanosil Super 25
- Type of application: Shock disinfection, maintenance disinfection
Description of the situation
A large building complex in the healthcare sector, built in the 1960s. Water quality measurements show elevated legionella counts. Due to the acute risk to staff and patients, individual departments have to be shut down by order of the Ministry of Health until the problem is resolved. Due to countless extensions and conversions in the past, the exact extent and exact location of the pipe system is no longer known.
Problems / special features
Long water pipes and an outdated pipe concept prevent regular thermal disinfection. The necessary water temperatures cannot be achieved in all parts of the pipes. Several previous attempts at disinfection with chlorine solution have not solved the problem, but have caused significant corrosion in the pipes and exacerbated the problem overall.
Implementation
Installation of a proportional dosing pump, shock disinfection of the hot water system in several stages. Due to the high level of bacterial contamination, the corrosion that has occurred and the convoluted, confusing pipe situation, several disinfections must be carried out, whereby the bacterial count is significantly reduced after each application.
After achieving the goal of removing legionella from the system, the corrosion in the pipes is stopped with mineral water additives and continuous dosing is installed using a proportional dosing pump.
Result
The procedure is successful, the Ministry of Health lifts the operating ban and normal operation of all departments can be quickly restored. Regular testing for legionella acts as a quality control and early warning system.
Relevant Brochures for this Application
Core Competencies
Our core competencies include the manufacturing and application consulting of disinfection products for water systems, surfaces, and air (complete room disinfection).
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