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Legionella

Water Services

Legionella
Water

Legionella Testing Solutions

AEMTEK’s Environmental Laboratory provides total solutions for your Legionella testing needs.

We offer sampling supplies as well as multiple testing methods, with a range of turn-around-times and identification levels, to suit your individual requirements.

All AEMTEK’s Legionella testing methods are AIHA EMLAP-accredited and CDC-ELITE approved, so you can feel confident in your results.

Legionella bacteria

What is Legionella?

Legionella bacteria thrive in warm, stagnant water but can survive under a wide range of temperatures (68° to 138°F). These bacteria, which naturally exist in fresh water environments, can accumulate in man-made water systems and cause disease. Legionellosis – or Legionnaire’s’ disease – is contracted when contaminated water is aerosolized (through steam, mist, condensation, etc.) and enters the lungs. In the United States, reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease have increased by 5.5X from 2000 to 2017. Health departments reported about 7,500 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the United States in 2017.

Why Test My Water?

Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ Disease receive high media attention when many people fall ill. Once contracted, 1 in 10 people will die from the disease. Although not contagious, the disease will spread quickly through contaminated sources. Building owners or managers will be faced with liability claims and negative publicity that can be devastating to their image, and extremely costly. The AIHA and CDC recommend regular monitoring of the water distribution system, which will drastically decrease the instances of Legionella-related disease outbreak.

CMS Compliance

The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services requires facilities to develop and follow water management policies and procedures to reduce the risk of growth, and spread, of Legionella in their building water systems. AEMTEK’s Legionella testing services will help you remain compliant with these requirements.

Contamination Sources & Sampling Sites

Sample Collection and Submission

AEMTEK provides sampling water bottles, with the required sodium thiosulfate neutralizer, and swabs for taking proper samples. For assistance with sampling, see our Legionella Sampling Instruction Video.

Take Samples

Water Bottles
Typical Sample Volume is 1,000mL for Potable Water and 100mL for Non-Potable Water

Swabs
Swabs can be used to sample the inner surface of suspicious areas of a pipe, faucet, or water tank.

Pack and Ship

Ship Overnight

Collected samples should be packed securely and shipped overnight in an insulated box with ice packs.

Holding Time

Sample Holding

Sample must be processed by the laboratory within 48 hours of collection.

Analytical Methods & Turnaround Time

For Legionella detection, AEMTEK uses methods that are AIHA EMLAP-accredited and CDC-ELITE accepted. There are several testing options to choose from to meet your needs for sensitivity and turnaround time.

PLATING METHOD (CDC METHOD)
LEGIONELLA SPECIES QPCR
LEGIONELLA PNEUMOPHILA QPCR
Turnaround Time
7–10 Days
1–3 Days
1–3 Days
Quantitative?
YES
YES
YES
Target Species
Legionella species, (including Legionella pneumophila)
Legionella species (including Legionella pneumophila)
Legionella pneumophila only
Report
Viable Legionella colony counts with species identification.

*Legionella pneumophila serogroup typing is available.
Legionella genus DNA detection.

*Serotyping is not available.
Legionella pneumophila DNA detection only.

*Serotyping is not available.
Quantification Limit
Potable Water: 0.1 CFU/mL

Non-potable Water: 10 CFU/mL

Swab: 10 CFU/sample
Project dependent.
Project dependent.
Reference Method
CDC guidelines, ISO/TR 11731, Standard Methods 9260J
BIORAD iQ-Check Quanti Legionella spp. QPCR, ISO/TR 12869
AEMTEK In-house method, BIORAD iQ-Check Quanti Legionella spp. QPCR, ISO/TR 12869
Turnaround Time
7-10 Days
Quantitative?
YES
Target Species
Legionella species, (including Legionella pneumophila)
Report
Viable Legionella colony counts with species identification. *Legionella pneumophila serogroup typing is available.
Quantification Limit
Potable Water: 0.1 CFU/mL Non-potable Water: 10 CFU/mL Swab: 10 CFU/sample
Reference Method
CDC guidelines, ISO/TR 11731, Standard Methods 9260J
Turnaround Time
1-3 Days
Quantitative?
YES
Target Species
Legionella species, (including Legionella pneumophila)
Report
Legionella genus DNA detection. *Serotyping is not available.
Quantification Limit
Project dependent.
Reference Method
BIORAD iQ-Check Quanti Legionella spp. QPCR, ISO/TR 12869
Turnaround Time
1-3 Days
Quantitative?
YES
Target Species
Legionella pneumophila only
Report
Legionella pneumophila DNA detection only. *Serotyping is not available.
Quantification Limit
Project dependent.
Reference Method
AEMTEK In-house method, BIORAD iQ-Check Quanti Legionella spp. QPCR, ISO/TR 12869

Have Questions? View our FAQs.

Why AEMTEK?

Benefit From...

Deep Technical Expertise

Get help solving your most complicated challenges from our team of seasoned industry professionals and Ph.D. scientists. We have experience in every aspect of laboratory testing, from chemistry and microbiology to product formulation and processing technology.

Direct Access to Experts

Gain more confidence in your product and food safety decisions by taking advantage of easy access to our Ph.D. scientists. We make sure our knowledgeable staff is easily accessible to address all your questions and provide advice in a timely manner, so you can do your job more efficiently.

A Partner in Growth

Work with a laboratory that cares about your business. For almost two decades, we have partnered with a range of companies to help solve challenges and support company growth. From early start-ups to established names, AEMTEK tailors it’s services to support your goals.

Reliable & Accurate Results

Breathe easier and sleep more soundly recognizing AEMTEK’s focus on analytical integrity.

We use the latest accredited methods and state-of-the-art equipment to deliver only the most accurate and reliable results to our clients.

Competitive Pricing & Fast TATs

Get results faster at competitive prices. All microbiology samples are prepped immediately upon arrival to ensure the quickest turnaround times possible.

Our chemistry testing has quick standard turnaround times.

Top-of-the-line Customer Care

Experience industry leading customer service. Get prompt replies to your questions whether via email, phone, or through our website chat. Our knowledgeable staff knows the importance of timeliness in the manufacturing industry and is here to address your questions and requests with speed and a smiling face.

Laboratory Accreditations

Get A Quote For Legionella Testing

Analyses are performed using various rapid and classical methods, including the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM), the Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods, the APHA Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products, and the AOAC International Official Methods of Analysis. We employ rigid quality assurance guidelines in all testing. We offer modern rapid methods of analysis for reliable, timely results. Reports are electronically generated in a user-friendly language and format. In addition, our scientists are always ready to answer your questions and address your concerns.