"Legionella" reduction after conversion to monochloramine for residual disinfection

Previous studies have shown that monochloramine disinfection of municipal water supplies is associated with decreased risk of healthcare‐associated Legionnaires— disease. A twoyear, prospective environmental study was conducted to determine whether converting from chlorine to monochloramine for wate...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal - American Water Works Association 2008-04, Vol.100 (4), p.129-139
Main Authors: WEINTRAUB, JUNE M., FLANNERY, BRENDAN, VUGIA, DUC J., GELLING, LISA B., SALERNO, JAMES J., CONROY, MICHAEL J., STEVENS, VALERIE A., ROSE, CHARLES E., BESSER, RICHARD E., FIELDS, BARRY S., MOORE, MATTHEW R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacteria
Biofilms
Buildings
Chlorine
Disease control
Disinfection
Disinfection & disinfectants
Disinfection Byproducts
Disinfection Residuals
Epidemics
Health facilities
Heat exchangers
Heaters
Legionella
Legionnaires disease
Medical laboratories
Pneumonia
Potable water
Public Health
Reduction
Residential buildings
Risks
Studies
Surface water
Surveillance
Temperature
Water analysis
Water heaters
Water samples
Water sampling
Water temperature
Water treatment
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Previous studies have shown that monochloramine disinfection of municipal water supplies is associated with decreased risk of healthcare‐associated Legionnaires— disease. A twoyear, prospective environmental study was conducted to determine whether converting from chlorine to monochloramine for water disinfection would decrease Legionella colonization of hot water systems. Water and biofilm samples were collected from 53 buildings. Prevalence ratios comparing Legionella colonization before and after monochloramine disinfection were adjusted for water system characteristics. Legionella colonized 60% of the hot water systems before monochloramine conversion versus 4% after conversion. The median number of colonized sites per building declined significantly with monochloramine disinfection. Increased prevalence of Legionella colonization was associated with water heater temperatures below 50oC, buildings taller than 10 stories, and interruptions in water service. Although no outbreaks of Legionnaires— disease were found, the study provides support that use of monochloramine in water supplies may reduce Legionella transmission and incidence of Legionnaires— disease.
ISSN:0003-150X
1551-8833
DOI:10.1002/j.1551-8833.2008.tb09609.x