---
title: Could there be Legionella Risk in your Water Fountain?
description: Are there legionella risks in water fountains? Yes! They produce splashes & water droplets small enough to inhale which can harbour Legionella bacteria.
image: https://www.waterhygienecentre.com/hubfs/Fountain%201.png
---

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# **Legionella Risk - How Safe is Your Water Fountain?**

by [Water Hygiene Centre](https://www.waterhygienecentre.com/blog/author/water-hygiene-centre), on 01-09-2021

Find me on:

[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/water-hygiene-centre/?viewAsMember=true)

 

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The ‘safety’ of a fountain/water feature will ultimately be determined by the risk management process used to protect individuals from waterborne infection and potentially subsequent disease.

## HSG 274 - What does the guidance say?

This ‘risk management process’ will inevitably differ between water features to help ensure that action taken is ‘proportionate to risk’. [HSG 274 (Part 3)](https://www.waterhygienecentre.com/blog/acopl8-hsg274-legionella) identifies the requirement for such water systems to be risk assessed and should the [Legionella risk assessment](https://www.waterhygienecentre.com/legionella-risk-assessment-l8) identify a risk (or risks…) from exposure to Legionella bacteria then a [Water Safety Plan / Written Scheme](https://www.waterhygienecentre.com/water-safety-plan) should be drafted in respect of mitigating these Legionella risks.

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## How can a Legionella Risk Assessment help?

Suitable and sufficient [water / Legionella risk assessments](https://www.waterhygienecentre.com/legionella-risk-assessment-l8) should therefore identify the following:

[![Fountain in london](https://www.waterhygienecentre.com/hs-fs/hubfs/166%20-%20Fountain%20Image%20london.jpg?width=399&height=299&name=166%20-%20Fountain%20Image%20london.jpg)](https://www.waterhygienecentre.com/blog/water-fountain-legionella)

- The likelihood for aquatic microorganisms (Legionella bacteria) to propagate and proliferate the water system surveyed;
- The potential for an aerosol to be created whereby contaminated water droplets (with Legionella bacteria) may be inhaled;
- The vulnerability/susceptibility of those exposed to the risk.

Furthermore, the ‘likelihood’ for waterborne bacteria to grow and proliferate water systems will be determined by:

- The water source or supply;
- The [temperature ](https://www.waterhygienecentre.com/academy/temperature-monitoring)of the water;
- The presence of nutrients;
- The potential for slow moving or stagnant water.

…and how these risk factors are managed.

The ‘consequence’ of legionella risk will be determined by individual vulnerability/susceptibility – contingent upon immune system robustness of those exposed to water risk.

## Water hygiene considerations for water features

[![Water Fountain Legionella](https://www.waterhygienecentre.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Water%20Fountain%202.jpg?width=230&name=Water%20Fountain%202.jpg)](https://www.waterhygienecentre.com/blog/water-fountain-legionella)For [water fountains/features](https://www.waterhygienecentre.com/blog/water-fountain-legionella), the source water may be fed from a managed mains supply in accordance with Water Regs (Quality and Fittings…) for delivering wholesome potable water.

 

However, other water fountains/features may be situated within conservation areas (lakes/ponds) and subjected to frequent contamination from external sources (environment/wildlife).

 

Water management precautions may consider:

- The microbiological safety of water for those exposed to aerosolised water from these fountains;
- The microbiological impact to aquatic life.

This often necessitates suitable and sufficient ‘cleaning’ of these systems (and the use of specific chemistries) during recommissioning – to control the microbial load whilst increasing the available oxygen within these waters in support of aquatic life and a safe and sustainable water management approach.

Hydrogen peroxide can be used to disinfect contaminated water systems without posing a risk to aquatic life. This chemistry is indicated for use by the environment agency to increase available oxygen within contaminated waters (following chemical spills etc.) in order to protect/preserve aquatic life and a dry version of the same chemistry (sodium percarbonate) can also be used to deep clean drained fountain surfaces and therefore would be indicated for use **offline**. The hydrogen peroxide version can be used **online** (1-3% concentration – dependent upon volume of water treated) to control bacterial growth whilst protecting aquatic life.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the issues mentioned above or if you would like to [consult with one of our experts on water hygiene.](https://www.waterhygienecentre.com/contact)

Editor’s Note: The information provided in this blog is correct at date of original publication – September 2021.

© Water Hygiene Centre 2021

 

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#### About the author

#### [Water Hygiene Centre](https://www.waterhygienecentre.com/blog/author/water-hygiene-centre)

The Water Hygiene Centre was established in 2009 to address the lack of independent water hygiene consultancy within the industry. From our humble beginnings, we have established ourselves as a market leader, helping clients identify and minimise the risk of waterborne contamination and disease, whilst improving compliance performance.

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Legionella risk is a subject that anyone who manages water systems needs to consider and suitably manage, whether you are involved with an office block, hospital, school, or higher education. There... 

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If you If you follow news feeds on the topic of Legionella, then you will notice that there are several headlines relating to Legionella in our schools. 

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