After the legionellosis outbreak in Kaunas, there are still more questions than answers. The only thing that is clear is that fifteen people went to the hospital. The condition of two is particularly serious. Legionnaires’ disease can only be contracted using tap water. A conversation with Vilnius Tech University Associate Professor Mindaugus Rimeika about the dangers hidden in the water supply.
– Is the fact that there is legionellosis in the water a result of negligence or saving?
– It can be both things. Legionella bacterium is naturally resident but does not multiply in cold water. The problem begins when hot water is being prepared for residents. In a private house, the resident is responsible for preparing hot water, so residents should set their boilers to a minimum of 60 degrees to protect themselves. Modern boilers have a function that raises the temperature to 80 degrees once a week and thus kills the bacteria. In an apartment building, unfortunately, a private person depends on who serves him – either the association or another institution. Naturally, there may also be technical failures – the sensor has failed and the temperature has dropped. When the temperature drops from 60 to 45 degrees, a person may not feel it, but bacteria multiply.
The entire LNK report is in the video:
– Where do whose responsibilities begin and end?
– The water supply only supplies cold water. In Lithuania, the hottest cold water can be up to 12-14 degrees. This temperature is too cold for bacteria. Illnesses are caused by hot water. The water supply service is completely useless. This is the service of the house and who heats the water.
– This can be a decision of both the community and one representative to reduce the heat.
“It’s probably unrelated.” It can be a technical problem when the heating turns off and only the hot water supply needs to be adjusted a little. There was a problem in Kaunas, three or four years ago in Vilnius. These are outbreaks that are related either to the negligence of a certain person, institution, or technical problems in the system.
The water supply service is completely useless. This is the service of the house and who heats the water.
– Could old pipes be to blame?
– Part of the truth is. A pipe with a lot of sediment is a place for bacteria to hide and multiply. However, if the temperature is right, conditions for reproduction are poor.
– What to do? How to solve the problem?
– If there was an easy answer, everyone would have already done it. One of the possible options is the likely greater control of both the operating authorities and the Veterinary and Food Service.
– If I think that the water in my house is too cold, should I call the Veterinary Service?
– First call those who operate, then try to scare those who control.
Tags: blame legionellosis Kaunas
