Legionella Testing Services
Water System Legionella Testing
Potable and hot water systems can become breeding grounds for Legionella, a serious health threat that can lead to Legionnaires’ disease and other illnesses. Routine testing is critical to manage risks, prevent outbreaks, and meet the requirements of local and federal health authorities.
SGS offers both proactive and responsive testing for Legionella using traditional culturing methods and advanced molecular testing for fast, accurate results.
Solutions for Legionella Testing
SGS provides comprehensive Legionella testing for a wide range of water systems, both potable and non-potable, along with sampling supplies and fast turnaround options.
|
Method |
Turnaround |
Details |
|
Traditional Culture (Gold Standard) |
7–14 days |
Identifies viable Legionella; uses specialized media and latex agglutination; detects L. pneumophila serogroups 1 and 2–14 |
|
Molecular Analysis (PCR) |
As fast as 24 hours |
Detects both viable and non-viable Legionella species; provides rapid screening but does not identify serogroups |
Potable Water Sampling
- Bottle Size: 1-liter
- Typical Sampling Locations: Hot water tanks, hoses, well water, faucets, fountains, sinks, respiratory therapy equipment, showers, bottled water/coolers, eye wash stations
Non-Potable Water Sampling
- Bottle Size: 250 mL
- Typical Sampling Locations: Cooling towers, humidifiers, decorative fountains, HVAC systems, fire sprinklers, storage tanks, hot tubs, basins, misters, surface water from reservoirs
Surface Swabs
- Sterile Swab
- Typical Sampling Locations: Faucet aerators, condensate pans, shower heads, condenser coils
Reporting Limits
|
Method |
Reporting Limit |
|
Legionella – Traditional (CDC Method) |
1 CFU |
|
Legionella – Traditional (ISO Method) |
1 CFU |
About Legionella
Legionella is a genus of bacteria naturally found in freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, and soil. However, it can thrive and become hazardous in man-made systems such as:
- Cooling towers
- Hot water tanks
- Showers and faucets
- Decorative fountains and jacuzzis
- Humidifiers and HVAC systems
The most serious species, Legionella pneumophila, causes Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially fatal pneumonia-like illness, and Pontiac fever, a flu-like illness. Exposure occurs when aerosolized water containing Legionella is inhaled.
More than 50 species and 70 serogroups of Legionella have been identified. Accurate detection requires specialized media, culture conditions, and identification techniques that go beyond standard bacterial testing.
Contact SGSWhy SGS for your Testing Needs?
- Global Reach, Local Expertise: A worldwide laboratory network backed by local knowledge to meet your needs.
- Regulatory Compliance: Expertise in regional and international guidelines, including EPA, CCME, and more.
- Customized Analytical Plans: Tailored testing protocols to address unique project challenges.
- Proven Track Record: Decades of experience delivering high-quality data to industries across North America.
