Quote:
Originally Posted by SailinAway
Legionnaire's bacteria can grow in water heaters if the water isn't hot enough. This article explains how energy conservation efforts by the government---recommendations to lower water heater temperatures to 110 degrees---led to an increase in Legionnaire's disease: https://www.phcppros.com/articles/82...-water-systems
Quote from a report cited in that article: "A minimum storage temperature of 131 F is essential to prevent the spread of Legionnaires’ disease (131 F is the temperature at which Legionella begins to die). To assure a safety factor, the minimum storage temperature should be 135 F."
CDC: "Legionella grows best within a certain temperature range (77°F-113°F). To keep water outside the range for Legionella growth, it is important to keep cold water cold and keep hot water hot."
Empirical study: "L. pneumophila still persisted up to 58 °C [136F], with evidence that it was growing under the conditions of this study. Further, exposure to 51°C [124] water in a low-use tap appeared to optimally select for L. pneumophila (e.g., 125 times greater numbers than in high-use taps)."
So I was mistaken in my statement that 110 degrees is safe. Numerous websites cite that figure as safe, including some government energy conservation sites, without giving evidence.
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So how does this work for tankless heaters? Can there be no growth if there is no tank?
Interesting this information is not more widely communicated. Begs the question why,,,