Provided by METS Laboratories – Trusted Experts in Water Safety & Microbiology
What is Legionella and Why Does It Matter?
Legionella are bacteria naturally found in freshwater environments such as lakes
and
rivers. However, in man-made water systems, these microorganisms can multiply
rapidly,
especially in warm, stagnant, or poorly maintained environments.
When inhaled through fine water droplets (aerosols), Legionella can cause
Legionnaires’
Disease — a severe, and potentially fatal, form of pneumonia.
High-Risk Environments Include:
Cooling towers and evaporative condensers
Hot and cold water systems
Showers, taps, and Jacuzzis
Air conditioning and misting systems
Industrial water tanks and laboratory systems
Legionella control is essential to protect public health, building occupants, and
business reputation.
What is a Legionella Risk Assessment?
A Legionella Risk Assessment is a legal and safety requirement in many
countries,
including Qatar, and is vital for any facility with water storage or distribution
systems.
It involves a systematic evaluation of your water systems to:
Identify and assess potential Legionella contamination risks
Recommend preventive and corrective control measures
Ensure compliance with ISO 11731, Kahramaa, and MoPH water safety
regulations
METS Lab’s Legionella Risk Assessment Services help organizations achieve
compliance,
reduce liability, and protect lives through a proactive and data-driven approach.
METS Lab’s Comprehensive Legionella Risk Assessment
Includes
1. Site Inspection & System Mapping
On-site survey conducted by certified
assessors
Inspection of all domestic, industrial, and
HVAC water systems
Schematic layout of system design and flow
Identification of areas with stagnation,
dead legs, biofilm formation, or poor insulation
2. Risk Identification & Hazard Analysis
Review of system design, age, and usage
patterns
Analysis of temperature control and
cross-connection points
Assessment of cleaning, disinfection,
and maintenance routines
3. Temperature Monitoring
Accurate temperature measurements at key
control points
Identification of zones where temperature
supports Legionella growth (20°C–45°C)
Data interpretation to evaluate compliance with safety thresholds
4. Water Sampling & Laboratory Testing
Sampling conducted following BS 7592
and ISO 11731:2017 standards
Microbiological analysis performed at
METS Laboratories’s ISO/IEC 17025-accredited facility
Identification and enumeration of
Legionella species, including Legionella pneumophila
5. Control Measures & Compliance
Recommendations
Customized control and remediation
strategies for each site
Guidance on system disinfection,
temperature correction, and water flow optimization
Support for system upgrades to ensure
sustainable long-term safety
6. Training & Ongoing Support
Legionella awareness and prevention
training for facility teams
Setup of logbooks and documentation for
inspection records
Implementation of ongoing monitoring
and review programs
Legal & Regulatory Compliance
All Legionella testing and risk assessment activities comply with national and
international water safety standards:
ISO 11731:2017 – Detection and Enumeration of Legionella
Kahramaa Guidelines – Water quality and building water safety standards
MoPH Guidelines – Swimming pool and public water system compliance
Risk Rating Matrix for each component or system area
Laboratory Results with colony counts (CFU/L)
Corrective and Preventive Action Plan (CAPA)
Certificate of Compliance and inspection documentation
Why Legionella Risk Management Matters
Legionella outbreaks can have serious health, legal, and economic
consequences.
Failing to manage risk can result in:
Severe illness or death
Regulatory penalties and legal liability
Business disruption or facility shutdowns
Loss of reputation and consumer trust
Proactive testing and regular risk assessments are the best defense against
contamination, ensuring safe water systems and peace of mind.
Serving Qatar’s Water Safety Needs
METS Lab partners with property owners, facility managers, and government
institutions across Qatar to deliver scientifically validated Legionella
control
programs.
Our team combines microbiological expertise and regulatory knowledge to
ensure
complete water safety compliance under Qatar’s MoPH and Kahramaa
regulations.
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