Water Hygiene is the responsibility of Building Owners, Property Managers and Maintenance Departments to reduce the risk of Legionella in any water system with the potential for human contact. The recently ratified ASHRAE 188 standard establishes the minimum requirements for a buildings risk management plan. These practices have already made their way in to legislation and guidelines. New York became the first State to pass laws requiring that building owners and healthcare facilities develop a Water Management Plan. The CDC has issued a tool kit based on the ASHRAE standard to help facilities determine the best course of action to keep building occupants safe. And the CMS has issued a requirement that all hospitals take action to reduce the risk of Legionella in Healthcare Facility Water Systems. Regular testing for the Legionella Bacteria in water systems is a component of a successful Water Management Plan to verify the effectiveness of a Facilities control measures and demonstrates a pro-active approach to reducing the risk of Legionella contamination.
