431 Legionella Awareness Month Kickoff!

Are You Ready to Talk About Legionella?   

Every August, we dedicate an entire month to a topic that touches public health, liability, and the core of what water treaters do — yet it’s still misunderstood by many: Legionella. 

In this episode, Trace Blackmore kicks off Legionella Awareness Month by returning to the basics. Where did Legionella get its name? What makes it dangerous? And why is there still confusion between a water treatment program and a water management plan? 

Tracing It Back: History, Misconceptions, and Missed Conversations 

Trace opens with the 1976 American Legion outbreak in Philadelphia — the moment the medical and water treatment worlds collided. He explains how the bacteria was identified, how the term Legionella pneumophila came to be, and how Pontiac Fever and Legionnaires’ Disease represent two ends of the same pathogenic spectrum. 

But more importantly, he challenges us to think critically about the language we use. Saying “Legionella” casually — without understanding whether we’re referring to the bacteria, the illness, or the implications of a test result — can lead to major breakdowns in communication between service providers and facility managers. 

A Water Treatment Program Is Not a Legionella Plan 

Many professionals know how to deliver great chemical treatment. But too often, when a Legionella test comes back positive, the customer assumes the water treater is responsible. This episode explains how that misunderstanding happens—and how to prevent it through proactive, well-framed conversations. 

Trace walks through why seasonal testing is the bare minimum, what makes a good water management team, and why documentation and pre-approved action plans are essential for clarity and peace of mind when results come in. 

He also introduces tools like the CDC Legionella Toolkit, ASHRAE 188, and ASSE 12080—resources every industrial water professional should know and use. 

The Systems at Risk — And Why It’s Not Just Cooling Towers 

Trace breaks down the environments where Legionella thrives cooling towers, stagnant pipes, dead legs, hot water systems with low temperatures, decorative fountains, humidifiers, and spas. He highlights why biofilm protection matters, why heat isn’t always enough, and how mixing valves and plumbing design can support both safety and scald prevention. 

You’ll hear how real-world scenarios unfold—and how one positive test, without the right planning, can lead to panic, blame, and liability risk for everyone involved. 

Conclusion 

Legionella isn't just a technical issue — it's a human one. Whether you’re in the field, managing accounts, or advising clients, this episode offers practical tools and powerful reminders for having the conversations that count. 

The professionals who lead these conversations are the ones building trust, avoiding risk, and elevating the industry.  

Listen to the full episode and explore the Legionella Resource Library at Legionella Resources.

Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! 

The Scaling UP! H2O Team 

Timestamps   

02: 12 – Trace opens the episode with an overview of Legionella Awareness Month 

08:47 – Legionella vs. Legionellosis 

15:51 – The Miscommunication That Hurts Trust 

27:13 – Where Legionella Hides 

28:14 – Key Resources 

33:22 – Water You Know with James McDonald 

34:47– Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 

Quotes 

“Cooling towers are guilty until proven innocent — and that’s how the industry sees them.” 

 “Legionella is not your responsibility unless you've set the right expectations in writing.” 

 “Don’t wait until a test is positive to have the conversation. By then, emotions are already high.” 

 “ASHRAE 188 doesn’t prescribe. It describes it. It’s up to us to translate it for each system.” 

 “Education isn't just about reading guidelines. It’s about knowing how to guide your clients.” 

Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Podcast  

Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea 

LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/ 

YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O   

Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide 

Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned 

AWT (Association of Water Technologies) 

Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses 

Submit a Show Idea 

The Rising Tide Mastermind 

CDC's "Toolkits" 

CDC's "Toolkit: Developing a Legionella Water Management Program" 

CDC's "Toolkit: Controlling Legionella in Common Sources of Exposure" 

ASHRAE 188-2021 “Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems” 

CMS Mandates Water Management Programs in Healthcare Facilities 

CMS QSO 17 – 30 Memorandum  

ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI/CAN Series 12000-2024 (Download) 

ASSE’s Infection Control and Water Quality 

ANSI/AAMI ST108:2023 Water for the Processing of Medical Services   

CDC’s Routine Legionella Testing Figure 1: A multifactorial approach to performance indicator interpretation 

World Health Organization (WHO) 'Legionellosis'  

Water You Know with James McDonald, PE, CWT 💧  

Question: Why is barium chloride used in the standard Hydroxide Alkalinity test? 

2025 Events for Water Professionals 

Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.