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General Manager of Laser Plumbing & Electrical New Zealand, Scott Carr, has backed the Master Plumbers call for the mandatory water sampling of hot water services to combat the threat of Legionnaire’s disease.

The Legionella bacteria can be found in any type of water system, particularly warm stagnant water which can occur in plumbing systems, hot water tanks, water cooling towers and evaporative condensers of large air conditioning systems.

While the Ministry of Health has developed guidelines for the prevention of the disease, the Ministry for Building and Construction which is responsible for ensuring guidelines are followed, has failed to establish the controls required to ensure the guidelines are adhered to.

“Currently, a compliance schedule has been established by the Ministry for Building for air conditioning units only,” says Scott. “However, we know that the bacteria thrive in temperatures of 20 to 45 degrees.

Recommendations call for the temperature of hot water services to sit at 60 degrees but often facilities such as aged care and childcare centres will lower the temperature to decrease the risk of burns, increasing the risk of the bacteria being present.”

“I would encourage Jenny Salesa, Minister for Building and Construction to investigate the controls currently in place and update current legislation to include hot water systems in compliance schedules.”