09/21/2026
💧 **WHAT IS LEGIONELLA BACTERIA — AND HOW CAN YOU HELP REDUCE THE RISK?**
You may have heard of **Legionella** or **Legionnaires’ disease**, but do you know how it can affect your water system?
**Legionella is a type of bacteria that naturally occurs in freshwater.** In the right conditions, it can grow in plumbing systems, especially where water is warm, stagnant, or has low disinfectant levels. It can grow in places such as water heaters, pipes, showerheads, faucets, hot tubs and other water-using devices.
🦠 **HOW DO PEOPLE GET LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE?**
The most common way is by **breathing in tiny water droplets or mist containing Legionella**. This can happen while showering or using other devices that create water aerosols.
Less commonly, a person can become infected if water containing Legionella is accidentally inhaled into the lungs while drinking. Legionnaires’ disease is **not generally spread from person to person.**
⚠️ **WHO IS AT GREATER RISK?**
While most healthy people exposed to Legionella don't become sick, the risk is higher for people who are:
• 50 years of age or older
• Current or former smokers
• Living with certain chronic health conditions
• Immunocompromised
🚿 **WHAT CAN YOU DO AT HOME?**
One simple step is to keep water moving through your plumbing.
If a faucet or shower hasn't been used for about a week or more:
1️⃣ Turn the **cold water on fully for about 2 minutes.**
2️⃣ Turn it off, then run the **hot water until it starts to feel hot.**
3️⃣ Avoid unnecessary splashing while flushing.
4️⃣ Clean faucets, aerators and showerheads regularly.
5️⃣ Maintain and replace water filters according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
6️⃣ Have your water heater maintained and flushed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
🏠 **WHAT ABOUT HOMES THAT HAVE BEEN VACANT?**
If you've been away on vacation, have a seasonal home, or have had a home sitting vacant, flushing the plumbing before normal use is an important step. Stagnant water can create conditions that allow certain waterborne germs, including Legionella, to grow.
**For larger buildings and public water systems, Legionella prevention can require a much more comprehensive water management program**, including monitoring temperatures, disinfectant levels, water movement and areas where water may sit for long periods.
💙 **The goal isn't to be afraid of your water — it's to understand your water system and take reasonable steps to maintain it.**
At **Franklin County Lab**, we're passionate about helping families and businesses understand their water and make informed decisions about water quality and treatment.
📞 **Franklin County Lab**
636-583-9288
🌐 www.franklincountylab.com
**Clean water matters. Know your water. Take care of your system.** 💧
*Information based on CDC guidance. If you have concerns about Legionella exposure or symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, contact your healthcare provider.*
