The Link Between Legionnaires’ Disease and Water Distribution Systems

In light of a new study attributing most of Flint, Michigan’s outbreak to changes in water supply, here’s information from an industry organization looking at Legionella bacteria and how to prevent it from contaminating a distribution system

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A recent report attributes 80 percent of the Legionnaires’ disease cases during Flint, Michigan’s 2014-15 outbreak to the changes in the city’s water supply.

According to the study conducted by the Flint Area Community Health and Environmental Partnership, the risk of acquiring the disease increased more than sixfold across Flint’s water distribution system after the city switched from Detroit’s Lake Huron source to the Flint River in April 2014. Over the course of 2014 and 2015, there were 91 documented cases of Legionnaires’ disease, 12 of which resulted in the patient dying.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is disputing the study’s findings and hired an outside firm, KWR Watercycle Research Institute, to do an “external, independent third party” review of the research, according to the Detroit News.

Shawn McElmurry, an associate professor at Wayne State University who leads the health and environmental partnership, told the Detroit News that while there may not have been a good enough epidemiological investigation at the time of the outbreak, the study still “makes it very clear that the increase in the Legionnaires’ cases is attributable to the change in water quality.”

Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) has produced a new informational report looking at Legionnaires’ disease and the role that those who manage and maintain water infrastructure systems play. Here’s an overview of the report’s highlights:

How Much of a Health and Safety Threat is Legionella?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has acknowledged that opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs) such as Legionella are the primary cause of waterborne disease in the United States. About 5,000 cases of Legionnaires’ disease are reported each year in the U.S., according to the CDC.

What is Legionella?

Legionella are naturally occurring bacteria found in freshwater sources, such as rivers and lakes, where the bacteria generally are present in low amounts and do not lead to disease. However, Legionella can multiply to dangerous levels under certain conditions and potentially cause Legionnaires’ disease, or Legionellosis. People contract this disease by inhaling small droplets of the contaminated water through mist or vapor.

When Was Legionella Discovered?

Legionella was discovered in 1976 in the building water supply system at a hotel in Philadelphia during a meeting of the U.S. Bicentennial Convention of the American Legion. By the end of the convention, more than 200 people had contracted the bacteria, which resulted in what would be called Legionnaires’ disease. 

Who Can Be Affected by Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease?

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by infection with Legionella bacteria. Individuals who have an underlying illness or weakened immune system are most susceptible to Legionella infections. The elderly, those with chronic lung disease, smokers, and those with suppressed or compromised immune systems are most at risk for contracting the disease. However, relatively healthy individuals can be at risk of contracting the disease as well.

How Can Water Supply Systems Become Contaminated with Legionella?

Legionella contamination can occur when water supply systems are improperly maintained, leading to an environment that feeds Legionella growth. Recent research by Dr. Marc Edwards, a professor of civil engineering at Virginia Tech, has shown that OPPPs like Legionella are more likely to grow when water aging problems occur in pipes leading to the tap. This finding provides an alert at a time when lower flow rates and alternative kinds of water supply systems that keep water in pipes longer are being considered as solutions to water shortages. 

Where Can Legionella Grow and Be Transmitted?

Parts of a water system with insufficient circulation or lukewarm temperature can provide the ideal environment for Legionella growth. Any source that generates aerosol or a fine mist of water has the potential to transmit Legionella. Large complex plumbing systems are most often associated with Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks. 

How Can Legionella Be Prevented?

One of the best ways to reduce the risk of Legionella growth and spread is to design, implement and regularly update an overall water safety plan for an entire water supply system, taking into account any potential hazardous conditions for a particular system and including industry best practices for prevention. The foundation of this plan is an engineering audit of the water system. 

Is There A Connection Between Older Water Infrastructure and Legionella?

Older water infrastructure can be more vulnerable to contamination through leaks and breaks. When a leak or break occurs, it increases the possibility of OPPPs like Legionella entering the infrastructure, forming in biofilms, and then being released into the water supply.

The full report and other resources are available at the PMI website.



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