What action should be taken if Legionella is found in a potable water system just before students return to a dormitory?

What action should be taken if Legionella is found in a potable water system just before students return to a dormitory?

• A. Systematically hyperchlorinate and flush the water system.
• B. Immediately replace all water piping.
• C. Only notify the students about the situation.
• D. Do nothing if the public water supply is treated.

Answer: (A)

The correct action when Legionella is found in a potable water system is to systematically hyperchlorinate and flush the water system. This response is crucial because hyperchlorination effectively kills Legionella bacteria and other harmful pathogens that may be present in the water supply. After chlorination, flushing the system ensures that any chlorinated water, which contains the bacteria, is cleared from the pipes, reducing the risk of exposure. This approach not only targets the immediate threat posed by Legionella but also helps restore the safety of the drinking water before students return to the dormitory. Taking proactive measures in this scenario demonstrates a commitment to the health and safety of the students. The other options, such as replacing all water piping, might be considered an overreaction and would not guarantee safety if the real issue was identified and addressed through proper treatment methods like hyperchlorination. Simply notifying students without taking corrective action would leave them at risk of exposure to contaminated water. Lastly, doing nothing based on the assumption that the public water supply is treated overlooks the potential for contamination to occur within a building's water system itself, which requires specific remediation efforts.

The correct action when Legionella is found in a potable water system is to systematically hyperchlorinate and flush the water system. This response is crucial because hyperchlorination effectively kills Legionella bacteria and other harmful pathogens that may be present in the water supply. After chlorination, flushing the system ensures that any chlorinated water, which contains the bacteria, is cleared from the pipes, reducing the risk of exposure.

This approach not only targets the immediate threat posed by Legionella but also helps restore the safety of the drinking water before students return to the dormitory. Taking proactive measures in this scenario demonstrates a commitment to the health and safety of the students.

The other options, such as replacing all water piping, might be considered an overreaction and would not guarantee safety if the real issue was identified and addressed through proper treatment methods like hyperchlorination. Simply notifying students without taking corrective action would leave them at risk of exposure to contaminated water. Lastly, doing nothing based on the assumption that the public water supply is treated overlooks the potential for contamination to occur within a building's water system itself, which requires specific remediation efforts.