If Legionella is found in decorative fountains, is remediation needed?
We would discourage the installation of decorative fountains in hospitals. For buildings that do not have persons at risk for pneumonia, the water fountains can be treated with disinfectants such as chlorine or bromide. Ultraviolet light may also be effective. Matt Freije (www.hcinfo.com) recommends draining and cleaning decorative fountains at least twice a year or more often if slime or dirt is visible. Surfaces can be scrubbed with a disinfecting solution (1 part chlorine to 20 parts water may be appropriate). Consult a water treatment service for advice. I am a journalist working for Norwegian TV. In the city of Stavanger in Norway, there has recently been several cases of legionella, and investigations conclude that cooling towers most probably are the sources of this outbreak. On your webpage you write that “Cooling towers have long been thought to be a major source for Legionella, but new data suggest that this is an overemphasized mode of transmission”. Do you have any numbers
