First Steps to Meet AAMI ST108: Water for the Processing of Medical Devices ANSI (American National Standard Institute) and AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) released AAMI ST108 in August 2023. The standard provides guidelines for selecting the water quality necessary for the processing of categories of medical devices. The new standard replaces the previous Technical Information Report, AAMI TIR34. What is covered in AAMI ST108? Some of what’s covered in AAMI ST108 is: Minimum requirements for water quality used at different stages in the process of medic ..read more

3 Hazard Types to Consider When Developing a Water Management Program per ASHRAE Standard 514-2023 By Hilary Nardone, Senior Permitting Manager Certified ASSE 12080 Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialist  The new ASHRAE Standard 514 – Risk Management for Building Water Systems: Physical, Chemical, and Microbial Hazards, provides guidance on how to design, build, operate, and maintain building water systems to protect building occupants from the hazards associated with these water systems. The standard outlines three hazard types and ways to mitigate the risks of ..read more

3 Hazard Types to Consider When Developing a Water Management Program per ASHRAE Standard 514-2023 By Hilary Nardone, Senior Permitting Manager Certified ASSE 12080 Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialist  The new ASHRAE Standard 514 – Risk Management for Building Water Systems: Physical, Chemical, and Microbial Hazards, provides guidance on how to design, build, operate, and maintain building water systems to protect building occupants from the hazards associated with these water systems. The standard outlines three hazard types and ways to mitigate the risks of ea ..read more

Boil Water Advisories: Managing Cryptosporidium Risk in Buildings By Hilary Nardone, Senior Permitting Manager Certified ASSE 12080  Legionella  Water Safety and Management Specialist   Municipal Water Utilities or local health officials may issue boil water advisories when parasites such as Cryptosporidium are identified in the community’s drinking water.  Cryptosporidium is most commonly spread through drinking water and recreational water and can cause gastrointestinal issues including diarrhea.  They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly ..read more

Back by Popular Demand: Guide to Minimizing Legionella Risk in Hotels By Hilary Nardone, MPH, Senior Permitting Manager Certified ASSE 12080 Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialist  Source: Tom Fisk The complex piping systems of hotels can be conducive to the growth and spread of Legionella bacteria. Sinks, showerheads, water storage tanks, ice machines, pools, hot tubs, cooling towers, unoccupied rooms and floors, and even a decorative water fountain in the hotel lobby are all places that could harbor Legionella bacteria. The four key factors that affect Legionella bacteri ..read more

5 Ways to Manage Legionella Bacteria Risk Caused by Heavy Rains By Hilary Nardone, MPH, Senior Permitting Manager Certified ASSE 12080 Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialist  This summer, intense rainfall and flooding have impacted numerous parts of the United States. Studies and advisories have reinforced the impact extreme rainfall and flooding can have on Legionella bacteria proliferation.  Findings from a study released in 2022 suggest that the “increase in Legionnaires’ disease across the US may be explained by flooding…” and that Legionnaires’ disease hospitaliz ..read more

Explained: The Link Between Heavy Rains and Increased Legionella Risk By Hilary Nardone, MPH, Senior Permitting Manager Certified ASSE 12080 Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialist  This summer, intense rainfall and flooding has impacted numerous parts of the United States. Studies and advisories have reinforced the impact extreme rainfall and flooding can have on Legionella bacteria proliferation.  Findings from a study released in 2022 suggest that the “increase in Legionnaires’ disease across the US may be explained by flooding…” and that Legionnaire’s disease hospi ..read more

3 Proactive Steps to Minimize Legionella Bacteria Growth in Cooling Towers During the Summer Months By Aaron Kearnan, EG Project Manager Certified ASSE 12080 Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialist Last week marked the start to Summer, bringing rising temperatures across the country and the need in buildings for comfort cooling.  The Summer months trend with having a higher abundance of Legionella bacteria in cooling tower systems in comparison to the other seasons of the year. Figure A shows seasonal variations in percent positivity in cooling towers, from 2019 to 2022 Fig ..read more

3 Ways to Minimize Legionella Bacteria Risk from Cooling Tower Drift Image Source: Aaron Lavinsky, Star Tribune By Hilary Nardone, MPH, Senior Permitting Manager Certified ASSE 12080 Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialist Seasonal cooling towers across the United States start up each Spring.  It is critical that cooling towers are cleaned and sanitized every year both for operation efficiency and for public health protection.  Not only do cooling towers produce ideal conditions for Legionella bacteria and biofilm growth, but they also present an acute risk for aerosoliz ..read more

  Reducing HVAC Energy Costs: Tips for Air Handler Coils By Hilary Nardone, Senior Permitting Manager  Certified ASSE 12080  Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialist    As energy costs continue to be historically high, there are numerous ways in which routine air handler coil maintenance can impact a facility’s bottom line.  By cleaning air handler coils routinely, Facility Departments will not only reduce energy spending, but they will also impact the energy efficiency of their systems.  Regular coil cleanings have a financial impact on a facility’s ..read more