CAHED Webinar - Water Management & Legionella: What Design Engineers Need to Know

When: Tuesday, September 15th @ 10:00am

Speakers: David Pierre, Director of Water Safety Programs at LiquiTech

Description:

Legionella cases have increased dramatically in the past decade, and drinking water systems, especially in healthcare, are the primary source of disease transmission. Regulatory agencies and accrediting organizations now require formal water management programs, and design decisions are increasingly scrutinized during investigations, litigation, and CMS enforcement actions. This presentation explores the expanding role of engineers in preventing Legionella and other waterborne pathogens through proactive system design. As regulatory scrutiny increases and healthcare facilities face enforcement risks from CMS and accrediting bodies, water management is no longer solely an operational responsibility, it begins at design phases. We will review Legionella background, growth factors in building water systems, and the evolution of industry standards. We will highlight common design decisions that unintentionally increase risk and by considering the STAR (Sediment, Temperature, Age, Residual) risk factors, how engineers can mitigate risk through integrating monitoring, circulation, filtration, disinfection, and smart system visibility into new construction and renovation projects. Emphasis is placed on multi-barrier strategies, defensible documentation, and designing systems that support long-term compliance, performance, and patient safety. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how proactive, risk-based design strengthens compliance, reduces operational burden, and supports defensible water management programs.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss the importance of building water system design in water management
2. Understand Legionella background and growth factors in building water systems
3. Review the current water management and Legionella standards and guidelines
4. Identify common risk contributors during design phases
5. Evaluate how we can design water systems for better water management