{"id":167402,"date":"2026-11-06T10:26:10","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T10:26:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=167402"},"modified":"2026-11-06T10:26:10","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T10:26:10","slug":"rise-legionella-incidents-prompts-new-warning-building-managers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/health-safety-news\/rise-legionella-incidents-prompts-new-warning-building-managers\/167402\/","title":{"rendered":"Rise in Legionella incidents prompts new warning to building managers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Building managers have been advised to review how effectively they are managing water systems following a rise in high-profile Legionella incidents<\/h2>\n

Wilo UK issued the warning after detections in public buildings and residential properties have renewed attention to the health, operational, and financial consequences of Legionella.<\/p>\n

Jason Cox, sales director for building services at Wilo UK, said: \u201cAttention naturally turns to testing and remediation in the wake of these incidents, but effective Legionella control<\/a> starts much earlier than that.<\/p>\n

\u201cBuilding managers need to understand how water is actually moving around their building, where stagnation can occur and whether the system is operating as intended. Periodic checks cannot compensate for underlying problems in the water system.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recent Legionella incidents have caused building closures<\/h3>\n

Legionella bacteria can multiply when water stagnates in pipework, particularly in temperatures between 20\u00b0C and 45\u00b0C. Infrequently used outlets, dead legs (redundant pipework), and areas of poor water circulation can also create conditions where bacteria thrive.<\/p>\n

Recent incidents include the closure of Bethnal Green\u2019s York Hall, which will remain shut until the new year after routine council sampling found Legionella bacteria in both the building\u2019s hot and cold water systems. The closure could cost more than \u00a3900,000 in lost earnings and repairs.<\/p>\n

Efforts to reopen York Hall have been complicated by the building\u2019s age and the absence of complete records detailing its pipework.<\/p>\n

Ministry of Justice figures published in late October, meanwhile, revealed that HMP Hull and HMP Lincoln have taken 20 cells out of action<\/a> due to Legionella bacteria.<\/p>\n

Prevention as a priority is essential<\/h3>\n

Wilo UK says these incidents underline why Legionella prevention should be treated as an ongoing priority rather than a periodic compliance exercise.<\/p>\n

They are encouraging building managers to consider five areas:<\/p>\n