Legionella & Waterborne Pathogen Testing

Q: Q: Why test for Legionella?

A: Legionella is a waterborne bacterial pathogen responsible for Legionnaires' disease . It can grow within any water system at a facility, building, or manufacturing location. A person can contract Legionnaire's disease through a device like a sink , shower , CPAP machine , or humidifier that contains growth of Legionella bacteria. Water droplets from that device are able to get into the lungs, like the mist from a shower or even exhaust from building HVAC systems. Legionnaires' disease is particularly dangerous (and can be deadly) for the vulnerable, immunocompromised population . Testing regularly helps to avoid financial setbacks and other liabilities .

Q: Q: How many subspecies of Legionella are there?

A: There are over 60 species of Legionella , with the most significant being Legionella pneumophila , which is responsible for the majority of Legionnaires' disease cases. Culture testing can reveal the different subspecies, while PCR testing focuses in L. pneumophila.

Ensure the safety of your water systems and your facility by working with our expert Legionella & waterborne pathogen testing team.

Legionella Outbreak?

If you have an emergency Legionella outbreak, contact our expert team immediately. We’re available 24 hours a day to help you avoid liabilities and further exposure.

(866) 761-1600

Legionella & Pathogen Testing to Keep You Safe & Limit Liability

Protecting occupants and visitors to your facilities is one of the most important aspects of the job for facility managers, building engineers, quality control teams, building owners, and others who oversee the various control systems at commercial sites. With the growing complexity of artificial water systems in buildings and aging infrastructure, failure to control Legionella risk or other waterborne pathogens can result in evacuation or worse, cause reputational and financial damage to your company. At IWC Innovations, we help you prevent outbreaks of Legionella or other waterborne pathogens by providing comprehensive testing of:

Legionella bacteria (along with the identification of more than 60 subspecies/subgroups)
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM), E. coli, and lead & copper

Such testing can validate the effectiveness of your existing Water Management Plan (and existing pathogen control measures) as well as provide early detection for any potential outbreak.

Why Choose Us for Legionella Testing

IWC Innovations provides ISO 11731:2017(E)-certified, accredited testing services for Legionella. We tailor our testing plan to the needs of your building/facility, ensuring you stay up to date with any compliance mandates. Our tests are simple, fast, and effective and we’ll provide comprehensive result interpretation and thorough guidance on any next steps. If positive Legionella results are found, our Legionella water safety consultants, who have more than 60 years of experience, will collaborate with you immediately on any remediation or outbreak control steps. The benefits of regular Legionella testing from IWC Innovations include:

Early alert of potential Legionella outbreaks at your facility
Validating the effectiveness of your Legionella control measures / water management plan in real-time
Guiding any water treatment processes based on real data
Ensuring compliance with local, state and federal regulations

Types of Legionella Testing

Culture Testing

Culture testing is considered the gold standard for detecting and confirming the presence of Legionella bacteria in water samples. Culture testing typically takes 7-14 days to provide accurate and reliable test results. Also, culture testing can identify Legionella species and serogroups, including those beyond Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, which is the most common cause of Legionnaires’ disease.

PCR / qPCR Testing

PCR Testing for Legionella is a highly effective method for detecting Legionella DNA in water samples. It offers high sensitivity and specificity, ensuring accurate identification of the bacteria. We use qPCR testing – a technique provides rapid results, typically within 24-48 hours, allowing for swift action if necessary. Importantly, PCR can detect both viable and non-viable Legionella cells. Generally, however, PCR tests are designed to specifically detect L. pneumophila, and not all the subspecies.

NMT, E. coli, Lead & Copper Testing

In addition to Legionella, numerous waterborne pathogens, such as Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM), E. coli, as well as Lead & Copper can cause serious diseases for your occupants or building/facility visitors. Our IWC Innovations Testing Team provides ongoing testing for these waterborne pathogens and contaminants, helping to prevent outbreaks or other health issues in your building. NMT testing in buildings involves collecting water samples from various points like faucets, showers, and water heaters, while E. coli samples are sought out from drinking fountains, bottle fillers, and kitchenettes. Both samples can be analyzed using PCR tests and our team will provide fast, comprehensive interpretations of the results.

Legionella & Waterborne Pathogen Testing Services Include:

Testing

Shipping

Correspondence

Interpretation

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why test for Legionella?

A: Legionella is a waterborne bacterial pathogen responsible for Legionnaires’ disease. It can grow within any water system at a facility, building, or manufacturing location. A person can contract Legionnaire’s disease through a device like a sink, shower, CPAP machine, or humidifier that contains growth of Legionella bacteria. Water droplets from that device are able to get into the lungs, like the mist from a shower or even exhaust from building HVAC systems. Legionnaires’ disease is particularly dangerous (and can be deadly) for the vulnerable, immunocompromised population. Testing regularly helps to avoid financial setbacks and other liabilities.

Q: How many subspecies of Legionella are there?

A: There are over 60 species of Legionella, with the most significant being Legionella pneumophila, which is responsible for the majority of Legionnaires’ disease cases. Culture testing can reveal the different subspecies, while PCR testing focuses in L. pneumophila.

Q: Should I have a water management plan?

A: Yes. In general if you run any kind of commercial facility or building, you should have a water management plan. Water management plans are mandatory for healthcare facilities like hospitals, critical access hospitals, and long-term care facilities, as well as buildings housing or serving vulnerable populations.

Facilities We Support for Legionella & Pathogen Testing

Legionella bacteria can grow in various water systems within a facility, including cooling towers, hot water tanks, pipes, showerheads, faucets, hot tubs/spas, decorative fountains, and humidifiers. Meanwhile, NMT and E. coli can grow in similar water systems as well as others. Our testing can cover facilities across a myriad of industries.

Commercial Buildings
Energy & Utilities
Entertainment Venues
Facility Management
Food & Dairy Product Manufacturing
Gasoline and Oil Refineries
Government Office Buildings
Hospitality (Hotels, Motels)
Hospitals/Healthcare Facilities
Laboratories
Manufacturing
Military Bases
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
Schools/Universities
Semiconductor and Microchip Manufacturing
Senior Living
Sewage Treatment Facilities
Waste Management and Recycling
Water Treatment and Utilities
More

More Legionella Resources

What Our IWC Innovations Customers Say

"I am highly impressed with the professionalism of the IWC team."

Emma W.

"Amazing! Very knowledgeable ! Excellent instructions. Excellent and efficient service!"

Candy H.

"The collection of water samples was thorough and time efficient. The technician was friendly and as professional as anyone could want. IWC Innovations is welcome at this [site] anytime."

Frank B.

Stay Safe with Our Ongoing Legionella & Waterborne Pathogen Testing