Conservative use of hot water is one of the ways to help save heating energy. However, it is important to keep in mind: infrequent use of water taps, showers and other plumbing equipment risks increasing the reproduction of Legionella bacteria, warn Rīgas namu pārvaldnieks and Ministry of Health.
Legionella bacteria reproduce in warm water, hot and cold water taps, water pipes with low water pressure or still water (apartments in which water taps and showers are rarely used), surfaces of duct showers, taps or receptacles in organic cladding, sludge, rubber or natural fibres in washing machines and plugs, water heaters with a hot water temperature below 50° C.
The head of Environmental Health Office of the Ministry of Health Anita Segliņa: «Infection risks remain because different people have different warm water use habits.
Risks are on a rise in households in which people rarely use water taps or showers, as well as households in which preventive measures are not performed on a regular basis.
We invite residents to follow recommendations prepared by our specialists to help reduce the risk of infection with Legionella bacteria.»
The Cabinet of Ministers provided RNP the right to slightly and temporarily reduce hot water temperature until April 2023. Nevertheless, after considering the risks and benefits from reducing hot water temperature in the system, RNP decided to maintain hot water temperature at +55° C. Legionella bacteria are unable to reproduce at this temperature and die off instead.
Legionnaires’ disease or Legionellosis is a relatively rare infectious disease that often passes as pneumonia or lung fever. The disease is characterised by a sudden appearance, as body temperature increases to +39° C or 40.5° C. The patient also suffers from dry cough, chest pain and breathing problems. If any of these symptoms appear, residents are urged to contact their general practitioner.
Also read: Covid-19 infection rates on a rise again after a two-month drop