Water Quality Management

Packer Water Quality Management (WQM) team's strong track record covers 15 years of determining the cause of problems in more than 2000 buildings and industrial locations and providing cost-effective solutions. We have responded to situations involving media exposure, union issues, and litigation. Packer Environmental Consultants is the most comprehensive and qualified firm to handle all of your environmental, health and safety needs. We have the expertise, resources and client focus to provide you with solutions that reduce your risk and improve your performance.

Legionnaires' Disease

Legionellosis, a form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, is contracted by inhaling contaminated mist from water sources. Exposure to bio-aerosols is a significant though often overlooked aspect of risk management. Water Quality Management is the process of conducting operations and maintenance on water systems to prevent employee exposure to Legionella and other microbial organisms. Though often associated with cooling towers, concerns of Legionella presence exist in a multitude of industrial and common water systems, including potable hot water systems. Companies routinely find themselves dealing with a case of Legionellosis within their facility.

Employer Responsibilities

OSHA requires employers to know the hazards caused by Legionella bacteria and implement necessary precautions to protect workers and to follow recognized industry practices, including ASHRAE, Cooling Tower Institute, and other guidelines. All businesses are affected by these regulations. Reactive costs are generally several times higher than proactive planning, and liability risks even greater. Following is a summary of actions employers should take:

• Identify and assess the risk of bacterial growth in all water and ventilation systems.
• Develop a written preventative maintenance program with appropriate control measures.
• Develop non-emergency and emergency start up and shut down procedures.
• Train workers who are maintaining/operating air handling and water systems in proper measures and procedures (including precautions and PPE).
• Monitor the effectiveness of the control program on a scheduled basis.

Services:

• Development of corporate water management policy, procedures and practices documents, covering design, operation and maintenance of equipment to minimize the risk of waterborne infection from cooling towers, potable hot and cold water systems, and other water systems.
• Legionellosis risk assessments to determine the risk to occupants and those in the surrounding community. Where significant risks are identified, Packer Environmental Consultants provide practical effective recommendations to minimize risks.
• Investigation of outbreaks and suspected outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease and independent analysis of equipment problems linked to water treatment.
• Preparation of comprehensive bid documents covering all water treatment requirements. Packer Environmental Consultants can review the bid submittals and interview potential suppliers to determine levels of technical competency. Clients can find significant financial savings with this service.

Industries Served:

• General Industry
• Petrochemical
• Health Care Facilities
• Retirement Communities
• Hospitality / Hotel
• Automotive
• Government
• Transportation
• Real Estate Management / Office Properties

 

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