HEALTH AND SANITATION
37
Precautions that schools may take to limit coronavirus infection risk could also add to Legionella concerns . For instance , some schools are turning off drinking fountains to prevent oral spread of the virus or closing off every other sink to ensure social distancing . Some sports facilities also remain closed because of the risk to student athletes and coaches .
But stagnant water in unused drinking fountains or sink plumbing could be a good reservoir in which the bacteria could grow . And shower heads like those found in locker rooms are common places for Legionella to proliferate . Facilities managers will need to be on guard for the bacteria in school athletics complexes if sports start again next spring . And Dr Whelton said that many people responsible for managing buildings ’ water systems “ had no idea you can acquire Legionella from showers and toilets .”
The CDC has issued guidelines for business and building reopening after coronavirus lockdowns . A spokeswoman from the agency said that its guidelines are “ applicable to all types of buildings ,” including schools . But the vagueness of many of the guidelines , according to Dr Whelton , means that schools can do as much or as little of general preventive steps and claim to be compliant . [ Editor ’ s comment : South Africa ’ s National Institute for Occupational Health ( NIOH ) prepared a complete document on returning to lockdown which is still available on our website and IOPSA .
The usual way to guard against Legionella growth is a process known as flushing . Bringing fresh water into the system keeps a small dose of chlorine in the system , which limits the bacteria ’ s ability to propagate . But flushing must be done regularly and for all outlets . That means running every tap , shower , and toilet .]
One of the schools in Ohio that found the bacteria , Englewood Elementary in the Northmont City Schools district outside of Dayton , began flushing its system in July . When a water management company discovered Legionella last week , they shut down all the water in the building and sent a high level of chlorine through the system . A spokeswoman from the district said that they are continuing to test the water to ensure its safety .
The only way to tell if the flushing is effective is to test the water . Flushing once does not get rid of Legionella if it is present . Milton Union High School in Ohio began testing their water in late July . They found that after 72 hours the chlorine level had dropped to zero . They flushed again and when they tested 24 hours later it was back again to zero . They tested the water and found Legionella . PA
“ Schools generally do not have a water management plan .”
January 2021 Volume 26 I Number 11 www . plumbingafrica . co . za