Waterworks offers tailor-made tools for inspection, prevention and control of Legionella in potable water as well as cold and hot water systems throughout.
Legionella Control
Legionella control is a process, not a one-time effort.
In order to eliminate the risk of bacterial growth in potable water, one need to take a wholistic approach to the science. Several steps are required:
Risk evaluation
Water testing and planning
Recommended checks and routines
Bi-annual cleaning of watertanks
Maintaining a residual disinfectant system
Waterworks will assist with guidance in all your needs.
Risk Assessment
Regulations on environmental health care require risk assessments to be carried out for facilities that directly or indirectly can spread Legionella via aerosol to the surroundings. Ship owners, operators and managers are jointly responsible.
IMO/WHO Guide to Sanitation, third edition 2011 says (excerpts):
…… The ship’s master or officer responsible for bunkering water must be responsible for ascertaining whether or not the source of the water is potable. All staff should be encouraged to report symptoms indicating a potential waterborne disease. The ship’s operator needs to provide adequate toilet and washing facilities for the crew to maintain personal hygiene. Known carriers of communicable diseases should never come into contact with potable water supplies. An adequate ratio of crew to facilities is required on board ship to enable proper servicing and maintenance activities.
…… Minimum requirements can be found in ILO Convention C133 and the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006. The term “fresh water” used in ILO conventions and the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 should be interpreted as meaning potable water. To reduce disease spread among crew, shared drinking receptacles should not be used on ships unless they are sanitized between uses.
…… The potable hot-water system, including showerheads, shall be maintained to minimize the growth of pathogenic Mycobacterium or Legionella bacteria. Showerheads should be cleaned and disinfected every six months. Aerators may harbour very high numbers of pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Therefore, the aerators should be regularly cleaned and disinfected.
…… Furthermore, parasites such as Cryptosporidium produce oocysts that are very resistant to chlorine or chloramine disinfection and need to be removed by filtration or inactivated by an alternative method, such as UV irradiation.
…… In extended distribution systems, a residual disinfectant should be maintained to limit the growth of microbial hazards that can impart off flavours to the water and foul lines and fittings. Maintaining residual disinfection will contribute to the control of Legionella spp., for instance. In addition, this residual may kill very low levels of some pathogens that may gain entry to the network.
Water Analysis
Waterworks offers microbiological analysis of potable water quality and other water parameters followed by recommendations for rectification of issues.
IMO/WHO Guide to Sanitation, third edition 2011 says (excerpts):
…… Where water is used for human consumption on board ship, it has to be potable. If information is needed about the influence of the distribution system, the farthest tap should be examined to inform the assessor of the highest potential risk. This tap typically can be found at the bridge deck. Here an additional sample should be taken, referring to a suitable procedure such as ISO 19458…
Waterworks resumes a supervisory role to guide shipowners based on the findings from Water analysis.
Exception Handling
At times, current condition requires exceptional measures to rectify potable water systems providing harmful water for crew and officers.
Waterworks can assists with advice and implementation of cleaning and disinfection processes and methods of potable water systems. We have well worked out processes and oxidising dosing systems that solve all of the common problems that requires exceptional handling. We also have engineers with HUET and offshore certifications to attend offshore installations.
Consultations
There are several strategies to achieve and maintain good and healthy potable water under all possible circumstances.
Waterworks have top notch professionals who can provide state of the art solutions for both new buildings and mature ships and offshore installations. Our Consultants are used to working with P&ID’s and can assist in engineering during both newbuilding and refit projects. Our engineers have all necessary HUET and other certificates and can attend offshore ships and installations.
Course and Training
We know from experience that different target groups have different needs and different background knowledge. We tailor the right course for your company.
Waterworks and Partners are regularly holding courses for employees and customers in all aspects from water sampling to system installation and maintenance. We are also holding courses in local oxidising of pipes and tanks cleaning with liquid disinfection systems
Please contact us at post@pswaterworks.com for our latest training schedule.
Dosing Systems
Our dosing systems consist of several models and are robust and flexible. We offer both portable and permanent solutions and they are adaptable to different configurations and bacterial challenges.
Our dosing systems are using several modes of disinfectants, and depending on the current situation, Waterworks can apply suitable biocides and cleaning processes. Some biocides are oxidising biomass almost instantly while others work best over time. Finding and applying the single best or combination of methods is done together with ship manager.
Infection Prevention
Waterworks can assist with risk analysis, preventive measures, emergency preparedness processes and testing processes as well as disinfection of the existing potable water system.
Based on the IMO/WHO Guide to Sanitation third edition 2011, Waterworks can assist with engineering and process management during newbuild.
