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Industries around the globe rely on Chemenergy's trained service technicians to get the job done right. Protecting chillers, cooling towers, boilers, RO systems, etc. in facilities worldwide.

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Water Safety

Legionnaire's disease is a serious pneumonia that is deadly for about one out of every 10 people who get it.find out more

Water is not sterile or safe. Water has the potential to harbor harmful bacteria such as Legionella. This bacteria is harmful and causes severe illness and even death. Did you know? For every Gallon of water entering your building and facility water has the ability to carry 1,892,500 Bacterial colonies with it.

The MCL for heterotrophic plate count is a Treatment Technique. Under U.S. EPA's Surface Water Treatment Rule, systems using surface water or groundwater under the direct influence of surface water must achieve a heterotrophic plate count (HPC) no greater than 500 bacterial colonies per milliliter (67 FR 1811; U.S. EPA, 2002).

How does Legionella spread?

Legionella Bacteria is naturally found in surface water. Even though our municipal water supplies are treated Legionella can still survive and infiltrate water sources such as cooling tower water, shower systems, and potable water supplies.

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According to the world health organization ( WHO ) the infective dose for humans can be assumed to be low - possibly even a single organism ( WHO, 2002 )

Outbreak News

Bacteria Infections & Contaminations

Legionella outbreaks have gained notoriety and attention since the 3 clusters of LD outbreaks that occurred in the Bronx, NY between December 2014 and October 2015. These clusters of LD contaminations have prompted NYS Legionella laws into effect. Unfortunately these have not been the only outbreaks of LD, and outbreaks continue to rise globally with New York slowly lowering its total LD outbreak data due to enactment of Legionella Management laws for buildings and facilities.

Bronx, NY
December 2014

This Legionella outbreak lasted through January 2015 in the northeast Bronx. 12 People were diagnosed with Legionella's Disease. Testing in the area revealed that Co-op housing in the area contained cooling towers that were contaminated with LD.

South Bronx, NY
July 2015

An Opera house in the Bronx was linked to a cluster of LD outbreaks on the basis of laboratory, epidemiologic, and environmental evidence obtained by NYDHMH. Media attention was given to this outbreak because 138 cases of LD were reported with 16 deaths.

East Bronx, NY
September 2015

Hospitals in the East Bronx were expected to be the source of this contamination. One patient died from this LD attack. A psychiatric center owned cooling tower LD test matched the LD test of a patient. This attack was linked to the psychiatric center.

New Zealand
November 2015

3 Cases of Legionella contamination were reported at a milk plant in Northland, New Zealand in November 2015. No deaths were reported in this incident yet.

Quincy, Illinois
2015

A veterans home in Quincy, Illinois reported an outbreak of Legionella. This outbreak resulted in 54 cases of contamination and 12 deaths. The fatality rate was 27.7% Investigation is still ongoing with this outbreak.

Bartlett, Illinois
September 2015

A middle school in Bartlett was found to have Legionella bacteria during an annual inspection of the cooling towers. The school was evacuated when the bacteria was found and was closed following days for cleaning/disinfection of the cooling towers.

Michigan
2014 - 2015

Genesee County, Michigan experienced a CountyWide outbreak of Legionella from a Medical Center. 87 cases were reported and 10 deaths were reported. The fatality rate was 8.7% A lawsuit was opened up for $100 Million and has yet to be finalized with a result.

Australia
2016

A Town Hall in Sydney Australia reported 4 cases of Legionella disease. Investigations reported they believe the cooling tower located on the premises of the Town Hall is to blame for the spread of Legionella.

Manhattan, NY
2017

The Lenox Hill neighborhood in Manhattan, New York reported a case of Legionella spread and infection. One case was reported, but 7 deaths were reported. The source of this contamination is TBD.

Texas
2017

A hotel in Round Rock, Texas experienced 6 cases of Legionella being reported due to a Spring Hill Suites Hotel. It is believed the swimming pool and hot tub were the source of the Legionella Bacteria contamination.

California
2017

Cooling Towers in Anaheim, California's Disneyland destination caused a Legionella outbreak. Resulting in 12 reported cases and 1 death. The fatality rate was 8.3%

Portugal,  
2017

A hospital facility in Lisbon, Portugal reported 56 cases of Legionella disease and 5 deaths. The fatality rate was 8.9%

Ashrae 188 Building Plans

CDC encourages building owners and managers to adopt Ashrae 188: Legionellosis - Risk management for Building Water Systems. Chemenergy's services and preventative Legionella maintenace programs are  compatible and cover all Ashrae 188 guidelines.

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