What is the initial action recommended upon finding Legionella in a water sample from a building?

What is the initial action recommended upon finding Legionella in a water sample from a building?

• A. Confirm chlorine residuals and run the water for 5 minutes.
• B. Immediately drain and refill the water system.
• C. Send a notification to all building tenants.
• D. Install additional filtration systems.

Answer: (A)

The recommended initial action upon finding Legionella in a water sample from a building is to confirm chlorine residuals and run the water for 5 minutes. This step is crucial because it helps determine the effectiveness of the current water treatment system. Chlorine is commonly used in water systems as a disinfectant to control microbial growth, including Legionella. By confirming the chlorine residual, you can assess whether the disinfection process is functioning properly. Running the water for a few minutes can help flush out stagnant water and potentially reduce the concentration of the bacteria in the system. This action serves as a preliminary measure that allows for further investigation or corrective actions to be determined based on the chlorine levels and the sampling results. It ensures immediate steps are taken to mitigate potential risks while avoiding more drastic measures unless necessary, such as completely draining and refilling the system or notifying tenants, which would be part of a larger response depending on the situation.

The recommended initial action upon finding Legionella in a water sample from a building is to confirm chlorine residuals and run the water for 5 minutes. This step is crucial because it helps determine the effectiveness of the current water treatment system. Chlorine is commonly used in water systems as a disinfectant to control microbial growth, including Legionella. By confirming the chlorine residual, you can assess whether the disinfection process is functioning properly. Running the water for a few minutes can help flush out stagnant water and potentially reduce the concentration of the bacteria in the system.

This action serves as a preliminary measure that allows for further investigation or corrective actions to be determined based on the chlorine levels and the sampling results. It ensures immediate steps are taken to mitigate potential risks while avoiding more drastic measures unless necessary, such as completely draining and refilling the system or notifying tenants, which would be part of a larger response depending on the situation.