Legionella

[Deleted member 22077]

Just in the process of finishing off the van- couple of weekends and it's ready.

Have been testing the water system etc and it occurred to me today that in this weather the temperature in the tank is probably pretty ideal for legionella.

Having been testing the tank, i've left some water sitting in their for a few weeks.

Just wondering what the risks are and best ways of checking for and killing off any that may be present?

 

[vindiboy]

I would use some Milton or similar,my prefered method however is sterilising tablets which are intended for use sterilising babies bottles etc,just drop a couple in the tank and add water,I get mine at Asda ,Asdas own,from the baby kit isle,very cheap and effective full instructions on the box,you can drink the water pretty soon after using the tablets and no taste,we do not use our van tank for drinking water although safe, we prefer to use five litre plastic containers, only using tank water for showers and washing up etc.
Milton is said to attack the. stainless steel in your water heater,we have used it for years in various vans with no problems.

 

[Deleted member 8180]

Mrs M who knows these things tells me it has to be introduced into the tank, either through contaminated water or by the pathogen entering through the air vents. Entry via the air vents is pretty unlikely as the pathogen is transmitted in aerosol form. If it does get into your tank and is left in the warm it will multiply rapidly. Nature Pure purifiers (NOT filters) will remove the bacteria as well as a wide variety of nasties, we've used one for the last 10 yrs or so and never had a problem. They're not cheap but neither is having your holiday or health ruinned...

 

[philgb]

Legionella is present in all natural (most) water systems and only becomes a threat when the ideal temperatures for breading around 20c to 35c and aerosol conditions, threaten us humans.
Perfect conditions for combating would be keep cold water cold below 20c ( where it is dormant)and hot water very hot above 50c (where it is killed) and keep the flow going, but as that is not always possible in a MH/camper.
I would suggest being practical. Avoid a spray ie aerosol. keep the tap at low flow(avoiding spray)and you will be fine. shower, ensure high temperature/ or low temperature!. water storage may be a problem as the ideal breeding temperature is as above. so try to replenish your water storage as often as possible without creating splashing aerosol conditions. definately if you have a shower head CLEAN THE HEAD regularly(as heads breed the bacteria like mad)

The only way Legionella pathogen will work is if it is transmitted by an aerosol spray into your lungs. Milton is ideal to clean your water systems out (as you should do on a regular basis)

Dont worry just use normal water system precautions as am sure your all ready do!

 

[Deleted member 22077]

Cheers guys

Typically, put lots of precautions in place then got air-lock in the pipe, forgot precautions gave tap a jiggle and got a nice big splash of water everywhere.

Oh well - if I don't post after the next fortnight you'll know why

 

[Fazerloz]

Don't worry too much about it you can survive it, I did.

 

[StevenJ]

It's also wise to soak the shower head in bleach about once per month , it's also advised to do this with a shower head in the home although none of us probably ever do.

 

[champstar]

Being a microbiologist I have never heard of a case of legionella from a camper van. the throughput of water is high and the average water heater in a van heats to above 60 degrees usually 70 which is enough to kill any bugs there. The cold water storage tank is usually internal and a black plastic which does not absorb the surrounding heat. Take the temp of your cold water and it will be below 20 degrees which does not allow any bacteria to multiply. The legionella need organic matter to multiply and this is not usually found in drinking water tanks unless introduced. A few sterilising tablets should do the trick. I think Elsan does a water purification solution which you can add to your tank to to keep it potable and it is odourless and tasteless.
Legionella is spread by aerosols and needs to be inhaled and only really affects those with some predisposing conditions.

I drink the water from my taps in my van and never had a problem all over the country and in Europe....happy camping

 

[petechinnock]

Being a microbiologist I have never heard of a case of legionella from a camper van. the throughput of water is high and the average water heater in a van heats to above 60 degrees usually 70 which is enough to kill any bugs there. The cold water storage tank is usually internal and a black plastic which does not absorb the surrounding heat. Take the temp of your cold water and it will be below 20 degrees which does not allow any bacteria to multiply. The legionella need organic matter to multiply and this is not usually found in drinking water tanks unless introduced. A few sterilising tablets should do the trick. I think Elsan does a water purification solution which you can add to your tank to to keep it potable and it is odourless and tasteless.
Legionella is spread by aerosols and needs to be inhaled and only really affects those with some predisposing conditions.

I drink the water from my taps in my van and never had a problem all over the country and in Europe....happy camping

As a Legionella control technician agree with what your saying. Me personally if our M/H is to be left for longer than week I empty the freshwater tank as best as. Then when refilling I run taps at same time to just flush system, more to get rid of any stale water taste than legionella control though.