Experiencing Legionnaires Disease due to Water Heater?

[LBren]

Getting over LD. I use my hot water for cooking & even drinking tea straight from my faucet everyday. WHAT I HAVE DONE!!! (at least I am still alive.) I had my W/H tank deep cleaned- OMG!!! How rusty my W/H water was just like in a video I watched. Mine is 10yrs old. How about yours? Anyway, my water is clean, antibiotics are working, and I'm feeling better now. Has anyone else experienced this? You may consider getting a deep clean. Have a clean water day!

[jnieman]

Getting over LD. I use my hot water for cooking & even drinking tea straight from my faucet everyday. WHAT I HAVE DONE!!! (at least I am still alive.) I had my W/H tank deep cleaned- OMG!!! How rusty my W/H water was just like in a video I watched. Mine is 10yrs old. How about yours? Anyway, my water is clean, antibiotics are working, and I'm feeling better now. Has anyone else experienced this? You may consider getting a deep clean. Have a clean water day!

I found this on line about it. Kind of scary.

Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by bacteria. You usually get it by breathing in mist from water that contains the bacteria. The mist may come from hot tubs, showers, or air-conditioning units for large buildings. The bacteria doesn't spread from person to person.Oct 14, 2016

[villagetinker]

OK LBren, your post implies you got LD from the Villages water supply, do you have any proof? 10 years old for a water heater, is end of life, it should be replaced, and I find it very improbable that LD bacteria could exist there, it is TOO HOT! Now your AC system could be a source. The water supply here is so heavily chlorinated that I doubt there would be any way this bacteria could exist in it.
If you have any proof to your implications, please provide, or clarify your original post.

[LBren]

villagetinker, I went online to research how I even acquired LD. I exercise and eat right. The only thing I found that could possibly relate to me, was the video I watched on YT called look what we found in this water heater, which was in The Villages. In the description, they mentioned LD. At this point, I do not know how I got it. BTW my temperature is set at 130 deg. I read to kill bacteria i should turn it up to 160 for 1 hour. So I think it might be in my water heater.

[golfing eagles]

I've never heard of Legionella in a hot water heater, but it may be possible. However, Legionnaire's disease is generally a point outbreak from contaminated water. If it was "in The Villages water supply", we would have hundreds, maybe thousands of cases given the age of the population.

[LBren]

I found this on line about it. Kind of scary.

Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by bacteria. You usually get it by breathing in mist from water that contains the bacteria. The mist may come from hot tubs, showers, or air-conditioning units for large buildings. The bacteria doesn't spread from person to person.Oct 14, 2016

Oh, so maybe I got LD from taking hot showers. I think I did the right thing then getting my WH deep cleaned.

[Polar Bear]

VERY irresponsible topic title.

[RickeyD]

"Legionella is an aquatic bacteria that thrives in warm water environments, and is the cause of Legionnaires Disease. It is commonly found in potable water supplies, hot tubs, cooling towers, fountains, swimming pools, etc. and multiplies in warm conditions especially between 68 – 122 °F. The Legionella bacteria can spread to humans when breathed in."

Hot Water Heater Safety & Temperature: Legionella Prevention (http://www.cashacme.com/resources/hot-water-safety/)

[RickeyD]

VERY irresponsible topic title.


Agreed, the water contamination is specifically local, not systemwide.

[HiHoSteveO]

villagetinker, I went online to research how I even acquired LD. I exercise and eat right. The only thing I found that could possibly relate to me, was the video I watched on YT called look what we found in this water heater, which was in The Villages. In the description, they mentioned LD. At this point, I do not know how I got it. BTW my temperature is set at 130 deg. I read to kill bacteria i should turn it up to 160 for 1 hour. So I think it might be in my water heater.

LBren, I just watched the video(s) on YouTube that you mentioned. There are two of them and were both posted within the past 3 days.
I did not hear or read anything in there about Legionnaires.

I would also like to know where you got that info that led you to that conclusion.

To me this looks like an advertisement for a particular plumbing company to scare up some business.

[Two Bills]

I use my hot water for cooking & even drinking tea straight from my faucet everyday

Why would anyone drink from a tank, hot or cold when you have fresh mains water?
Use fresh, and boil for cooking and hot drinks.
As for LD??

[LBren]

I use my hot water for cooking & even drinking tea straight from my faucet everyday

Why would anyone drink from a tank, hot or cold when you have fresh mains water?
Use fresh, and boil for cooking and hot drinks.
As for LD??

Thx for all of the input. I think I can conclude I got LD not from drinking the hot water, but from showering and breathing the stream from which my WH was contaminated. BTW was using less energy using hot water to heat up in the mic, or stove. Wont do that again.

[thelegges]

Is someone trying to sell us a service, or a product? We have only had 2 water heaters in 27 years up north, no issues.

[Reiver]

Most likely from a poorly cared for hot tub.

[rubicon]

Getting over LD. I use my hot water for cooking & even drinking tea straight from my faucet everyday. WHAT I HAVE DONE!!! (at least I am still alive.) I had my W/H tank deep cleaned- OMG!!! How rusty my W/H water was just like in a video I watched. Mine is 10yrs old. How about yours? Anyway, my water is clean, antibiotics are working, and I'm feeling better now. Has anyone else experienced this? You may consider getting a deep clean. Have a clean water day!

LBren:

don't let these naysayers discourage you. sorry you are not feeling well but it appears you are healing well.

I am so impressed with your quick recovery for this normally long lasting illness that I would like to have the doctor that diagnosed and treated you for this disease in the event I contract LD.

Personal Best Regards:

[Sandtrap328]

LBren:

don't let these naysayers discourage you. sorry you are not feeling well but it appears you are healing well.

I am so impressed with your quick recovery for this normally long lasting illness that I would like to have the doctor that diagnosed and treated you for this disease in the event I contract LD.

Personal Best Regards:

I must have missed the part of the post where the OP said he was diagnosed with Legionnaires Disease by a medical doctor and spent time in a hospital being treated.

Legionnaires Disease is not contracted by drinking hot water!

[Tom53]

Water heaters, like everything else (including ourselves), require regular maintenance. There are many articles that can be found online that detail this, and will help extend the life of the tank. This includes regular flushing (simple) to anode or element replacement (relatively easy, but require standard tools). It might be worth a look.

[collie1228]

"Villages Water Experiencing Legionaires Disease"? LBren, with all due respect, assuming you are correct and you contracted this disease from your water heater, you did not get it from The Villages water system, you got it from your own water after it was infected by the water heater. The headline in your post is disingenuous and you should amend it.

[biker1]

Lots of hits on google about this. Here is one from OSHA:

Legionnaires' Disease eTool: Domestic Hot-Water Systems (https://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/legionnaires/hotwater.html)


"Villages Water Experiencing Legionaires Disease"? LBren, with all due respect, assuming you are correct and you contracted this disease from your water heater, you did not get it from The Villages water system, you got it from your own water after it was infected by the water heater. The headline in your post is disingenuous and you should amend it.

[rubicon]

Lots of hits on google about this. Here is one from OSHA:

Legionnaires' Disease eTool: Domestic Hot-Water Systems (https://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/legionnaires/hotwater.html)

biker:

thy are addressing large industrial water heaters used in hospitals, etc

[LBren]

"Villages Water Experiencing Legionaires Disease"? LBren, with all due respect, assuming you are correct and you contracted this disease from your water heater, you did not get it from The Villages water system, you got it from your own water after it was infected by the water heater. The headline in your post is disingenuous and you should amend it.


I am glad that Administrator has changed the post title already. I did not know how to do that. Thank you for your advice.

[biker1]

The OSHA page I posted makes reference to domestic hot water heaters - those are the ones in your house. They do also reference industrial water heaters.

biker:

thy are addressing large industrial water heaters used in hospitals, etc

[Polar Bear]

I am glad that Administrator has changed the post title already. I did not know how to do that. Thank you for your advice.
That's very understanding, LBren. All the best to you.

[graciegirl]

I am glad that Administrator has changed the post title already. I did not know how to do that. Thank you for your advice.

And I hope you are feeling better.

[Reiver]

After reading the OSHA link, it sounds like you had better get your hot water system flushed and treated, or you'll be sick again.

[Marathon Man]

Is someone trying to sell us a service, or a product? We have only had 2 water heaters in 27 years up north, no issues.

That was my thought also.

[DonH57]

I have never used the hot water from our hot water tank for cooking, making tea or coffee or for any other direct consumption for that manner.

[Nucky]

I know you may think my advice is a little off here for various reasons. Please do not service your hot water heater. Replace it. I offer this advice as if you were a close friend or family member. Don't make me explain. Just go to Home Depot or Lowes and buy it and have them install it. No fuss no muss no disease no 2nd or 3rd service call. Its money well spent. To the OP I'm glad you survived Legionnaires. Many people in N.J. were not so fortunate.

[paulascorpio]

My husband had Legionnaire's disease. He almost died. He lost 20 lbs in a week from sweating from continuous fever of over 104 for over 5 days. He was in constant delirium. At first they didn't know what he had. The only thing they could do was try different medicines and hoped one would work. Cipro on the 5th day was the magic. I thought he would never make it. They sent out a sample to CDC who, within a month stated it was Legionnaire's. He got it from being near an air conditioning unit that was being cleaned that was filled with mold. So if, there was mold in your water heater......that could be your answer.

[LBren]

My husband had Legionnaire's disease. He almost died. He lost 20 lbs in a week from sweating from continuous fever of over 104 for over 5 days. He was in constant delirium. At first they didn't know what he had. The only thing they could do was try different medicines and hoped one would work. Cipro on the 5th day was the magic. I thought he would never make it. They sent out a sample to CDC who, within a month stated it was Legionnaire's. He got it from being near an air conditioning unit that was being cleaned that was filled with mold. So if, there was mold in your water heater......that could be your answer.


That’s what I had been going through! I went ahead and had my Water Heater deep cleaned through richardahhandyman dot com. You should contact him to get yours done.

[UpNorth]

Here's another area I dealt with this weekend: If you have a side-by-side refrigerator with an ice dispenser in the door, you might be unpleasantly surprised to see what is under that control panel. My GE refrigerator is several years old, and the ice dispenser was acting up. Specifically, the door that opens and closes the chute was not opening and closing properly. Checking the internet and YouTube videos, I learned that there is a replaceable solenoid that can rust and jam up. Got a new solenoid from Amazon, and took the thing apart. The solenoid was badly frozen with rust from the moist environment, but there was also a lot of black (mold?) growing in the compartment as well. You can't see it unless you take the thing apart. Not a big job (if you watch the video), but certainly an area of concern. As you ice cubes come down the chute, they pass through this contaminated area. You will never see it unless you dis-assemble the ice dispenser in your door.

[Marathon Man]

Well, all this got me thinking. I got the following off the OSHA web site. Based on this, I am going to do a good flush and then increase temperture 5 degrees. I don't have a real concern about contamination, but flushing the heater should be done periodically to keep the heater operting efficiently and 5 degrees will not cost that much. Concern goes to zero. Also, I'm not crazy about adding chemicals to my water system, so no 'deep cleaning' for me.


Q. Can Legionnaires' disease be prevented?

A. Yes. Avoiding water conditions that allow the organism to grow to high levels is the best means of prevention. Specific preventive steps include:
Regularly maintain and clean cooling towers and evaporative condensers to prevent growth of LDB. This should include twice-yearly cleaning and periodic use of chlorine or other effective biocide.
Maintain domestic water heaters at 60°C (140°F). The temperature of the water should be 50°C (122°F) or higher at the faucet.
Avoid conditions that allow water to stagnate. Large water-storage tanks exposed to sunlight can produce warm conditions favorable to high levels of LDB. Frequent flushing of unused water lines will help alleviate stagnation.
Q. Do you recommend that I operate my home water heater at 60°C (140°F)?

A. Probably not if you have small children or infirm elderly persons who could be at serious risk of being scalded by the hot water. However, if you have people living with you who are at high risk of contracting the disease, then operating the water heater at a minimum temperature of 60°C (140°F) is probably a good idea. Consider installing a scald-prevention device.

Q. What can be done if a water system is already contaminated or is suspected of being contaminated?

A. Special cleaning procedures and water treatment can reduce LDB in water systems. In many cases, these procedures involve the use of chlorine-producing chemicals or high water temperatures. Seek professional assistance before attempting to clean a contaminated water system.

Q. Can my home water heater also be a source of LDB contamination?

A. Yes, but evidence indicates that smaller water systems such as those used in homes are not as likely to be infected with LDB as larger systems in workplaces and public buildings.

[CWGUY]

That’s what I had been going through! I went ahead and had my Water Heater deep cleaned through richardahhandyman dot com. You should contact him to get yours done.

:D Now there's the pitch I have been waiting for!:boom:

[thelegges]

Has the CDC published any results of the point of contamination yet? Once you were hospitalized and then diagnosed how long did it take and were you the only one diagnosed?

[Marathon Man]

:D Now there's the pitch I have been waiting for!:boom:

Agreed. Why the push to clean water heaters when heat will accomplish the same thing?

And you would only need the extra heat for one day to kill any bacteria present in the heater. Then you can go back to the lower setting. If concerns persist, a monthly 'heat treat' should do the job. Also, I would be concerned about harsh chemicals causing leaks in older heaters.

Water heaters have been around a long time. If there was a problem, we would have heard about it long ago. Just not buying this.

[Marathon Man]

Actually, I have a better idea. I think I'll go get some pool test strips. If I have chlorine coming out of my faucets, then I have no bacteria in my system. If I find zero residual chlorine then I will run the faucets, bringing plenty of new chorine into the house, until I see some residual CL. Seems like that should do it.

For my neighbors that have a second bathroom that seldom gets used, it is a good idea to flush the toilet and run the faucets in the bath and sink once a week or so. That will help keep the lines clear.

[Sandtrap328]

No where did the OP say he had been hospitalized for Legionnaires Disease. I also saw in the advertisements in TOTV an ad for deep cleaning your water heater. Now, the OP is "hawking" a guy to do the service? Hmmm?