Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia caused by the inhalation of small droplets of contaminated water containing Legionella Bacteria.

All man-made hot and cold water systems are likely to provide an environment where Legionella can grow.

Where conditions are favourable (ie suitable growth temperature range; water droplets (aerosols) produced and dispersed; water stored and/or re-circulated; some ‘food’ for the organism to grow such as rust, sludge, scale, biofilm etc) then the bacteria may multiply and will increase the risk of exposure.

It is a simple fact that the organism will colonise both large and small systems so both require Legionella Risk Assessments so they can be managed effectively.