Legionella Prevention California, Management and Control Plan

Creating a safer environment for your residents, employees, and visitors.

Do you need a Legionella prevention and control plan? California and other western states have strict regulations governing Legionella prevention in California. Healthcare facilities, privately owned properties, publicly owned buildings, and other organizations across the state of California are therefore required to create a complete and comprehensive Legionella Control Program that follows industry-accepted guidelines set forth by CMS, ASHRAE, CDC, and OSHA. Meras Water Solutions works with you to provide Legionella testing and to develop a Legionella risk management plan to fit your needs.

WHAT IS LEGIONELLOSIS?

Understanding more about legionellosis can help you understand why a legionella risk management plan is so important. Legionellosis is a respiratory disease caused by Legionella bacteria. Sometimes the bacteria causes a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) called Legionnaires’ disease. The bacteria can also cause a less serious infection called Pontiac fever that has symptoms similar to a mild case of the flu.

WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease are typically associated with contaminated large or complex water systems, like those found in hospitals, hotels, long-term care facilities, and even gyms. The most likely sources of infection include, but are not limited to, showers, cooling towers, decorative fountains, and hot tubs.

HOW IS IT CONTRACTED?

Legionella is transmitted through the inhalation or aspiration (water accidentally enters the lungs) of small water droplets containing the bacteria. The contaminated droplets can take the form of a mist or spray. During infection, the bacteria will invade lung cells and replicate intracellularly.

WHO IS AT RISK?

The people most at risk for contracting Legionnaires’ disease are those with weakened immune systems. People with diseases such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, or diabetes; those who are over the age of 65; and those who have recently undergone an organ transplant have a greater risk of infection. Also, those whose lungs are weakened due to smoking or chronic emphysema are at risk of infection after exposure to the bacterium.

HOW CAN MERAS HELP?

As water treatment professionals, we take public health very seriously. That is why we are reaching out to facilities across the state of California and bringing awareness to the silent threat that could be lurking in your building water system. We don’t just want you to know about it — we want you to help you do something about it! Having a legionella prevention plan in place will help you protect everyone at your facility or building.

Want to know more about legionella prevention or how to institute a legionella program? Meras Water Solutions can help you create a complete and comprehensive Legionella Control Program that follows industry accepted guidelines set forth by ASHRAE, CDC, WHO, and CTI. An interactive, thorough, and continuously improved program offers greater health safety for those in your facility.

ASHRAE® STANDARD 188P

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE®) develops standards that are accredited by the American Standard Institute (ANSI). The industry has adopted Standards 188P which is a standard practice pertaining to Legionella control. This standard lays out the foundation for what an effective Legionella control program should entail. This standard is heavily influenced by the HACCP structure and it shares all of its components with other entities such as ESGLI and WHO.

What Industries Rely on Meras for Legionella Control?

Any water system is at risk for containing Legionella organisms — including domestic building water systems, cooling towers, pools and hot tubs, fountains and water features, reclaimed water systems, ice machines, irrigation systems, etc.

We have over 15 years’ experience helping organizations in many industries manage their water supplies for Legionella control, such as:

Hospitals and healthcare facilities
Government facilities
Agricultural facilities
Hotels and spas
Recreation facilities
Restaurants
Food packing plants
Industrial and manufacturing plants
Nursing homes
Apartment buildings
And more

Developing Your Legionella Prevention and Control Plan in California

Creating a cost-effective water management plan for Legionella control that satisfies all federal and state regulations is a challenging task. At Meras, we walk you through every step of the way in complying with the CDC’s guidelines for Legionella water management program development:

Step 1: Establish a team. No need to reinvent the wheel in your organization. Our expert staff is your ready-made Legionella control team. We also work with your in-house staff to provide necessary training for safe day-to-day water management.

Step 2: Conduct a risk management assessment for Legionella. Our water control experts will thoroughly assess your facility for Legionella risk:

First, we’ll map out your entire water system, including all water distribution details and precise locations of appliances, cooling towers, hot tubs, and other features and equipment.
Then, we’ll identify high-hazard areas within the system where the Legionella organism is likely to grow.
We’ll also conduct a Legionella test for water. California and federal law require specific testing protocols, which may vary with your type of facility; we can help you determine the right approach for your needs.

Step 3: Design a comprehensive and compliant Legionella water management plan. Per federal and state requirements, we will work with your staff to create an executable plan for Legionella hazard control in your facility. This will include:

Determining appropriate control measures and limits for all potential Legionella hazards. These can include heat treatment, chemical treatment, cleaning, etc. We’ll also work with you to develop the written plans required by law and make sure you are compliant every step of the way.
Creating a plan of action for when control limits are exceeded. We’ll help you determine the exact intervention actions you will need to take should Legionella organisms be detected in your system or control measures exceed risk limits, so you can quickly get your system back into safe limits.

Step 4: Legionella control program implementation. We will work with you to install appropriate control measures, and train your staff in proper maintenance and procedures to ensure safe maintenance and operation of your water systems.

Step 5: Ongoing Legionella program management. Continuous monitoring and documentation are required to ensure that any Legionella control program stays up to date and effective. We are equipped to help you remain compliant with minimal time and expense.

Get Started Today

We understand the importance of public health to your organization. We are also well-versed in the intricacies of creating an effective and compliant Legionella water management plan. California is known for its stringent enforcement of all environmental regulations. As a top Legionella control partner for healthcare facilities across the state, we have helped hundreds of facilities create Legionella control plans and systems in accordance with all CMS, ASHRAE, CDC, and OSHA industry guidelines.

Let us take the weight of Legionella management off your shoulders so you can focus on your core business knowing your customers, patients, and visitors are in good hands. Contact us today to learn more, or call (209) 900-4500 to speak to a specialist directly.