Protect Your Facility with Proactive Water Management and Legionella Prevention
As temperatures rise across Minnesota and building water systems work harder, summer becomes one of the highest-risk seasons for Legionella bacteria growth.
Cooling towers, domestic plumbing systems, hot water systems, decorative fountains, and buildings with intermittent occupancy all create conditions where Legionella can multiply if not properly maintained.
Legionella bacteria thrive in warm, stagnant water and spread through inhaled water droplets, potentially causing Legionnaires’ disease—a severe form of pneumonia that can result in hospitalization or even death.
For facility managers, building owners, and maintenance teams, now is the ideal time to evaluate water management practices before a preventable health issue becomes a costly crisis.
Why Summer Increases Legionella Risk?
During the summer months, many facilities experience changes in water usage patterns.
Schools, colleges, training centers, municipal buildings, and some commercial facilities often have reduced occupancy, allowing water to sit stagnant in portions of the plumbing system.
When water remains stagnant:
- Disinfectant levels decline
- Water temperatures enter the ideal growth range for Legionella
- Biofilm develops inside piping
- Bacteria have an opportunity to multiply
Without proper flushing, cleaning, and recommissioning, these systems can present health risks when employees, students, or visitors return.
Cooling Towers Require Special Attention
Cooling towers remain one of the most significant Legionella concerns because they can aerosolize contaminated water, potentially exposing building occupants and the surrounding community.
Recent investigations continue to demonstrate the consequences of inadequate monitoring and maintenance.
A current Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in New York City has been linked to cooling tower systems, with dozens of reported cases under investigation.
These events serve as an important reminder that preventive maintenance is far less costly than responding to an outbreak.
Legionella Is Also a Growing Concern in Minnesota
Legionella isn’t just a national issue.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2024 recorded 171 confirmed Legionnaires’ disease cases—the highest annual total ever reported in the state. Health officials also investigated outbreaks associated with a hotel hot tub and a non-disinfected community water system. Most patients required hospitalization, and 22 deaths were reported.
These statistics highlight the importance of proactive water management for facilities throughout Minnesota.
What Is at Risk?
A Legionella outbreak affects far more than building operations.
Potential consequences include:
- Employee and occupant illness
- Hospitalizations
- Public health investigations
- Regulatory scrutiny
- Business interruption
- Temporary facility closures
- Litigation and liability exposure
- Costly emergency remediation
Protecting water systems protects both people and your organization.
Summer Legionella Prevention Checklist
Summer is an ideal time to evaluate your building’s water systems.
Consider the following best practices:
✅ Flush low-use plumbing systems
✅ Verify disinfectant residuals
✅ Inspect, clean, and disinfect cooling towers
✅ Test and maintain hot water temperatures
✅ Review your Water Management Plan
✅ Evaluate buildings with extended vacancy
✅ Document inspections and corrective actions
✅ Schedule Legionella sampling when appropriate
Taking these proactive steps now can significantly reduce risk before occupancy increases later in the year.
Click below to download your Summer Legionella Prevention Checklist
How IEA Can Help
For more than 40 years, IEA has helped organizations identify environmental health risks, strengthen compliance programs, and protect building occupants.
Our Industrial Hygiene professionals provide practical, science-based solutions for Legionella prevention and water system management.
Services include:
- Legionella Water Sampling
- Water Management Plan Development
- Cooling Tower Evaluations
- Domestic Water System Assessments
- Building Recommissioning Support
- Water System Risk Assessments
- Industrial Hygiene Consulting
- Regulatory Guidance
- Corrective Action Recommendations
- Follow-up Sampling and Monitoring
Whether you’re managing a school, healthcare facility, commercial building, municipality, manufacturing plant, or multi-family property, IEA can help reduce Legionella risk while improving water system safety.
Legionella Testing & Water Management Services
Routine monitoring and proactive planning are among the most effective ways to reduce Legionella risk.
IEA provides Legionella bacteria testing, water sampling, Water Management Plan development, industrial hygiene consulting, and facility evaluations to help organizations maintain safer building water systems.
👉 Learn more about our Legionella Bacteria Testing & Water Management Services.
Protect Your Facility Before the Next Outbreak
Legionella prevention is not simply a regulatory responsibility—it’s an essential part of protecting employees, visitors, and building occupants.
By taking proactive steps during the summer months, organizations can reduce health risks, improve system performance, and avoid costly disruptions.
