Legionella Treatment: Protecting Your Water Systems from Harmful Bacteria

Comprehensive Solutions for Legionella Control and Prevention

Legionella bacteria pose a serious risk to water systems, particularly in commercial, industrial, and healthcare facilities. Even with proper treatment, Legionella can multiply in cooling towers, potable water systems, and other warm water environments, potentially leading to Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks and regulatory violations. However, with proper treatment, active water management, and effective system monitoring the risks can be greatly minimized. ETI provides advanced Legionella treatment solutions designed to minimize bacterial contamination, prevent regrowth and when combined with an industry approved service plan, will help achieve compliance with health and safety regulations.

Understanding the Risks of Legionella Contamination

Legionella bacteria thrive in warm, stagnant water, often found in cooling towers, hot water tanks, plumbing systems, and decorative water features. When water containing Legionella bacteria becomes aerosolized, people can inhale the bacteria, potentially leading to the development of Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever in immuno-compromised populations. Common risk factors for Legionella growth include:

  • Poorly maintained or untreated water systems

  • Infrequent system flushing and low water turnover

  • Biofilm buildup, which protects bacteria from standard disinfection

  • Inadequate temperature control, allowing bacteria to multiply

  • Corroded or aged plumbing that harbors bacterial growth

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia that can be fatal, particularly for individuals with weakened immune systems, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Due to the serious health risks associated with Legionella, regulatory agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have established strict guidelines for Legionella prevention and water system management.

ETI’s Legionella Treatment Solutions

ETI provides a comprehensive approach to Legionella treatment, addressing bacterial contamination at all stages of water management. Our solutions include chemical disinfection and biofilm control formulations that help our water treatment partners ensure long-term protection of their client’s facilities.

Advanced Disinfection Technologies

  • Oxidizing biocides, including chlorine dioxide and sodium hypochlorite, for rapid bacteria reduction and control

  • Non-oxidizing biocides that target Legionella while minimizing corrosion risks

  • High-efficiency shock treatments to minimize and control active Legionella colonies in contaminated systems

Biofilm Removal and Prevention

  • Chemical dispersants that break down biofilm, exposing bacteria to disinfectants

  • Enzyme-based treatments that degrade organic matter and prevent bacterial adhesion

  • Surfactant-enhanced formulations for improved penetration into plumbing and cooling systems

Biofilm is a protective layer that allows Legionella to persist in water systems even after standard disinfection. ETI’s biofilm control solutions ensure that water treatment efforts are effective and that bacterial regrowth is minimized if not prevented.

Continuous Legionella Control and Prevention

  • Secondary disinfectant systems, including on-site chlorine and chlorine dioxide generators, for maintaining residual protection in potable water networks in collaboration with our partner EAI Water (www.eaiwater.com)

ETI’s Legionella prevention programs help facilities implement proactive measures to keep their water systems safe, reducing the need for emergency disinfection and system shutdowns.

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Industries We Serve

ETI’s Legionella treatment solutions are trusted by industries where water safety is critical. Our programs are designed to protect people, prevent contamination, and maintain compliance in high-risk environments.

  • Healthcare and Hospitals – Reducing the risk of Legionella outbreaks in patient care facilities

  • Hotels and Hospitality – Ensuring safe water in showers, cooling towers, and decorative fountains

  • Commercial Buildings – Managing Legionella risks in HVAC and potable water systems

  • Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities – Protecting workers and process water systems

  • Senior Living Communities – Providing long-term Legionella prevention in residential water supplies for our most at-risk populations

  • Government and Military Facilities – Maintaining strict Legionella control in large-scale water distribution networks

Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management

Legionella control is not just a recommendation—it can be a regulatory requirement. Multiple governing bodies have set or soon will be implementing strict water safety standards to prevent Legionella-related illnesses. ETI’s treatment programs help businesses comply with:

  • ASHRAE Standard 188 for Legionella risk management in building water systems

  • CDC and EPA guidelines for potable and non-potable water disinfection

  • State and local health department regulations for cooling towers and plumbing systems such as NYS Subpart 4.1 & NYC Local Law 77

  • OSHA requirements for workplace water safety

  • NSF-certified treatment methods for drinking water applications

By implementing a proactive Legionella treatment program, facilities can reduce the risk of outbreaks, avoid costly fines, and maintain compliance with health and safety regulations.

Comprehensive Legionella Risk Assessments and Monitoring

Beyond chemical treatment, ETI offers expert support to help our water treatment partners identify risks, develop customized treatment plans, and maintain Legionella-free water systems. Our services include:

  • Risk assessments to evaluate system vulnerabilities and recommend corrective actions

  • Development of Water Management Plans (WMP) for Legionella prevention

  • Water quality monitoring and data analysis for early detection and chemical solution optimization

  • Training and education for water treatment employees and maintenance teams on best practices

ETI’s team of water treatment experts work closely with our distributors to support customized Legionella prevention programs that integrate with existing operations while ensuring maximum protection.

Protect Your Water Systems with ETI’s Legionella Treatment Solutions

Legionella bacteria pose serious health risks and legal consequences if left unmanaged. ETI’s Legionella treatment programs provide long-term protection against harmful bacteria, ensuring safe and compliant water systems for your facility. Contact our team today to learn more about our customized solutions for Legionella prevention and water system management.

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I have always considered ETI to be an excellent supplier due to the quality of each employee’s effort to help customers like us solve problems and satisfy our customer’s needs.

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