What must building operators do for a successful Legionella testing program?

A successful Legionella testing program involves several important components, one of which is establishing a baseline for normal conditions in the water system. This can be achieved by getting benchmark total bacteria counts.

Benchmark total bacteria counts serve as reference points to evaluate the microbiological quality of water. By understanding what typical levels of bacteria are in the system, operators can identify any deviations that may signal a potential outbreak risk or contamination. This is crucial for ongoing monitoring and ensuring that water systems are maintained within safe parameters.

While other activities such as collecting samples regularly, monitoring water temperature, and calibrating testing equipment are important for overall management and accuracy in Legionella detection, obtaining benchmark total bacteria counts is fundamental to interpreting test results and guiding effective control measures.