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ion_avenger
06-23-2009, 05:41 PM
MADISON HEIGHTS, MI — Members of the Madison Heights Police Department, who this month lost a comrade to the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, are drinking bottled water after Legionella bacteria, which are unrelated to H1N1, were detected in the station’s water supply and heating and cooling system, Fox 2 News reported June 22.

Officer Ryan Settlemoir, 28, died June 12 from swine flu and underlying health conditions. At the time he became ill, 22 other officers also suffered from flu-like symptoms; the others have recovered.

The discovery of Legionella means that the 22 officers are undergoing additional tests. Meanwhile, the family of Settlemoir is awaiting word as to whether Legionella played a role in his death, the report said.

Officer Dave Koehler, president of the police union, said doctors first suspected Legionnaires’ disease, but conflicting test results ruled it out. “I personally believe, I mean we won’t know until the autopsy is completed, but I think it’s be hard to believe that it doesn’t have some [effect],” Koehler told Fox 2.

Chief Kevin Sagen said he is bringing in a company to flush the station’s water system.

Madison Heights is a suburb of Detroit.

THERE IS MAJOR PROBLEM WITH BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION IN ALL WATER TO SOME DEGREE, I'M GLAD THAT NOBODY HAS SUED A SOFTENER MANUFACTURER BECAUSE OF BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION YET !

SAWATER
06-24-2009, 06:01 PM
Legionella is some pretty bad stuff. The hospital systems down south here, have to deal with sanatizing their potable cold water piping quarterly. What they do to kill the legionella is use their boilers to flush hot water thru the cold system at no less than 133 degress . Apparently this bacteria is a warm water bacteria.
Do you think the Pur-gard is effective against legionalla?

greg-cws
06-25-2009, 01:19 AM
Pur-Gard's effectiveness will depend on concentration and contact time.
Straight undiluted Pur-Gard will kill EVERYTHING & ANYTHING including HIV, Listeria, Hanta virus, H1N1 etc... within 5 minutes of contact time.

At your hospital project, I worry about biofilm buildup protecting the harmful bacteria if they're just flushing with hot water.

When I deal with disinfection in large equipment or commercial piping, I like to start with detergent, then EDTA, acid and disinfectant with appropriate contact times followed up by swab testing with a culture to confirm an acceptable kill ratio.

Keep an eye on http://www.sp-5000.com/ (http://www.sp-5000.com/)we'll be posting a comprehensive disinfection protocol there shortly.