Expressed in another thread,
Legionnaires Disease is found in ponds, lakes, rivers, groundwater, and even
soil. (!) In water brought into every house this
bacteria can multiply to dangerous levels. It's worse in
water softening devices, but any dead-ends in plumbing (like water-hammer devices) can be affected. Anywhere indoor water is allowed to stagnate in the pipes increases the hazard, which is increasing in the US.
The disease is contracted by inhalation of fine bacteria-laden water droplets, usually grown in house water heating systems. Recommendations are to keep ones hand's off the water heater's thermostat.
Quote:
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"Conflicting messaging from various organizations and federal agencies have resulted in property owners reducing their water heater thermostats to save energy or prevent scalding. The unintended consequence has been the explosive rise in the number of cases of Legionnaires disease in the United States and the scary upward trend we find ourselves in."
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Where one operates water heater "management" from the breaker panel, heated water should be "used-up" and cold water allowed to flow at all other times.