Legionella bacteria thrive in warm, stagnant water, meaning poorly designed or poorly maintained cooling systems can become a serious risk. An outbreak doesn’t just threaten health and safety, it can also lead to compliance issues, operational disruption, reputational damage, and costly downtime.
That’s why proactive Legionella prevention is essential for any site operating chillers, adiabatic coolers, or industrial process cooling systems.
- Eliminate stagnant water
Stagnant water is one of the biggest contributors to Legionella growth. Closed-loop cooling systems and properly designed circulation help reduce the risk by preventing water from sitting idle within pipework or equipment. - Maintain stable temperature control
Legionella bacteria grow most rapidly between 20°C and 45°C. Efficient cooling systems should maintain stable, controlled temperatures to avoid operating in this danger zone for prolonged periods. - Use hygienic, low-maintenance system designs
Modern process cooling systems can be designed to minimise areas where bacteria can develop, reduce “dead legs” in pipework, and make routine inspections and maintenance easier. - Implement effective water treatment
Ongoing water treatment is essential for Legionella prevention. Correctly specified chemical dosing, filtration, and monitoring help maintain safe water conditions and protect equipment long term. In hard water areas, pre-treatment such as a water softener may also be beneficial, helping reduce scale build-up, improve efficiency, and lower associated Legionella risk. - Carry out regular audits and preventative maintenance
System audits and preventative servicing help identify risks early, improve performance, and ensure your cooling infrastructure remains safe, compliant, and reliable.
Summit Process Cooling Can Help
At Summit Process Cooling, we help manufacturers take control of their cooling infrastructure with efficient systems designed to reduce Legionella risk, improve reliability, and minimise maintenance requirements.
Want to futureproof your cooling system and protect your workforce? Get in touch with our experts today.