Legionella and Yachts

[kunyang]

I note the article ‘Getting into hot water’ in the February issue of PBO, the solar system shown had a maximum temperature of 43°C. This isn't hot enough to kill Legionella.

I think that care should be taken when on yachts, and I kow I am as bad as the next guy, but I do not have a shower on my yacht (yet) (I need a bigger boat).

Do any of you regularly clean your shower heads / taps, ensure water tanks are cleaned, and the big question is ' when you add a treatment' to your water tank, do you really know how much to add when topping up? and does it kill legionella?

Sometimes I feel that I work for the HSE (hot sexy elves) (I did see the hobbit the other day).

 

[GrahamM376]

Do any of you regularly clean your shower heads / taps, ensure water tanks are cleaned, and the big question is ' when you add a treatment' to your water tank, do you really know how much to add when topping up? and does it kill legionella?

No to all of the above.

 

[sarabande]

The l. bacteria breed in water which has a high oxygen content and is warm for a long time. If you add Milton tablets or liquid to the water tank, the chlorine will kill the bugs before they get to the calorifier.

Use a shock dose to flush through the fresh water system if you have not been on board for a long time. Then fill with normally chlorinated, commercial public service, potable water.


Once you have a clean (biologically inert) system you can use a chemical-free filter such as the General Ecology Seagull with separate tap for drinking water, and a normal tap for non-drinking purposes.

 

[[70521]]

No to all of the above.

+1

Interesting quote here Legionnaires' disease is rare in the UK. it goes on to say:

"In 2010, there were 359 reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease in England and Wales and it is thought 116 of these infections occurred while the affected person was travelling abroad.

Legionnaires’ disease is about three times more common in men than women, and mostly affects people over 50 years old."

Not really an issue.

 

[Poignard]

Do any of you regularly clean your shower heads / taps, ensure water tanks are cleaned, and the big question is ' when you add a treatment' to your water tank, do you really know how much to add when topping up? and does it kill legionella?

Not only do I not clean them regularly, I don't clean them at all.

I don't add anything to my water tank except water.

I should think I am more likely to be killed on the road to Gosport than I am to die from legionella (whatever that is).

Anyway, what do you mean by coming on here trying to frigten people?

 

[prv]

I put in a strong dose of chlorine-based cleaner at the start of the season, flushing it through will also clean the pipes and taps (will have to remember to run hot water too now that I have it).

My granny was hospitalised with legionella caught on a visit to Russia.

Pete

 

[nigelmercier]

"In 2010, there were 359 reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease in England and Wales and it is thought 116 of these infections occurred while the affected person was travelling abroad..."

My wife and I both got infected by Legionella bacteria in a 5* spa hotel in Malta. It didn't get into the Legionnaires’ disease statistics, because it didn't develop into the lung infection. It took over a year to fully recover, so pay heed!

 

[Boreades]

My wife and I both got infected by Legionella bacteria in a 5* spa hotel in Malta. It didn't get into the Legionnaires’ disease statistics, because it didn't develop into the lung infection. It took over a year to fully recover, so pay heed!

Very sorry to read that, but what's the connection between how a 5* spa hotel in Malta uses water, and a typical boat in the UK with water stored at low temperature?

 

[Sybarite]

Not only do I not clean them regularly, I don't clean them at all.

I don't add anything to my water tank except water.

I should think I am more likely to be killed on the road to Gosport than I am to die from legionella (whatever that is).

Anyway, what do you mean by coming on here trying to frigten people?

We only drink bottled water and boil anything from the tank.
I also fill it to the brim when I leave the boat for any time. Hopefully this reduces any risk.

 

[nigelmercier]

Very sorry to read that, but what's the connection between how a 5* spa hotel in Malta uses water, and a typical boat in the UK with water stored at low temperature?

The shower head.

 

[Davegriff]

Legionnaires’ disease is about three times more common in men than women, and mostly affects people over 50 years old. Not really an issue.

Wow! Ageism and sexism all in one sentence!

 

[michael_w]

If you've got the usual calorifier heated via the engine, it's no worry.

A good long motor will see your calorifier water temperature get very close to that of the engine's FW coolant; say 85C. Legionella survival as follows:


Above 70 °C (158 °F) - Legionella dies almost instantly
At 60 °C (140 °F) - 90% die in 2 minutes (Decimal reduction time (D) = 2)
At 50 °C (122 °F) - 90% die in 80–124 minutes, depending on strain (Decimal reduction time (D) = 80-124)
48 to 50 °C (118 to 122 °F) - Can survive but do not multiply
32 to 42 °C (90 to 108 °F) - Ideal growth range
25 to 45 °C (77 to 113 °F) - Growth range
Below 20 °C (68 °F) - Can survive but are dormant, even below freezing

 

[Davy_S]

I got seriously ill at the British Legion in Fleetwood many years ago, I dont think it was anything to do with the water, i was told it was drink related.

 

[Leighb]

There is only a risk of contracting Legionella if you have a shower system, using hot water.

It cannot be contracted by drinking water containing the organisms, only by inhaling aerosol water drops carrying the bacteria.

As mentioned above it needs water above 20C to multiply, so cold showers are probably OK.

We don't have any hot water - except boiled in a kettle - and no shower so not a problem for us.