To minimize stagnation in Legionella control, how should redundant water heaters and pumps be operated?

To minimize stagnation in Legionella control, operating redundant water heaters and pumps in an alternating manner, such as daily or weekly, is essential. This approach prevents water from sitting stagnant in any single system for extended periods, which can create favorable conditions for Legionella growth. Stagnation occurs when water remains idle, allowing temperatures to drop and preventing the necessary flow that inhibits bacterial proliferation.

By alternating the use of redundant systems, you ensure that water circulates through both, thus minimizing the risk of stagnation while maintaining a consistent water temperature and quality. This practice not only helps in controlling Legionella but also promotes a more efficient operation of plumbing systems overall, as it reduces wear on equipment and optimizes their functionality.

Other approaches, such as continuous operation or only using systems when needed, might lead to periods where water is stagnant, providing conditions conducive to Legionella growth. Operating both systems simultaneously may also not be effective, as it does not encourage enough flow through each individual heater or pump to deter stagnation.