Legionella Prevention with LoRaWAN® Water Temperature Sensors

Water systems in buildings like hospitals, care homes, schools, and hotels need careful monitoring to ensure safety. One of the most common risks in these systems is Legionella, a type of bacteria that grows when water stays at the wrong temperature. If not detected early, it can lead to serious health problems and costly consequences.

In this article, we explain how LoRaWAN® sensors, specifically TEKTELIC’s TUNDRA with a probe, help monitor water temperature and reduce the risk of Legionella.Water safety in buildings—hotels, hospitals, schools, care homes—is more than a checklist. One serious threat is legionella bacteria in water systems, which can lead to Legionnaires’ disease, a type of pneumonia that may begin with fever. Alongside risk assessment and water management program efforts, reliable control measures are essential to reduce the risk of legionnaires outbreaks.

This article explains:

• What legionella and Legionnaires’ disease are
• Why temperature control in hot and cold water systems matters
• How TEKTELIC’s TUNDRA and LoRaWAN® sensors support legionella prevention
• Best practices—aligned with UK HSE and EU guidance—for monitoring and control of legionella bacteria

What Is Legionella? What Is Legionnaires’ Disease?

Legionella bacteria thrive when water temperatures range between 20°C and 45°C. In buildings, this can happen in hot tubs, storage tanks, showerheads, taps, or stagnant water pipes with low usage.

When inhaled—often through aerosol droplets—these bacteria may cause Legionnaires’ disease, a serious type of pneumonia marked by fever, cough, and breathing difficulties. Individuals in vulnerable groups can suffer severe outcomes, making robust control measures vital.

Why Temperature Control Matters in Water Systems

UK HSE guidance (HSG274 Part 2) specifies that cold water systems should be kept below 20°C, while hot water must be stored at or above 60°C, and distributed to outlets at 50–55°C within one minute  (Source: HSE HSG274 Part 2 – Hot and Cold Water Systems).

European and ECDC guidelines underscore similar norms, recommending temperature regimes that help prevent growth of legionella, combined with regular system maintenance .

Targets:

• Cold water: stay below 20 °C
• Hot water: maintain ≥ 60 °C storage, and ≥ 50 °C distribution

These control measures, supported by water management program requirements and periodic water samples, help prevent legionella in water systems.

UK & EU Standards: Compliance Frameworks

Under UK law (HSE Approved Code L8 and HSG274), dutyholders must:

• Conduct regular risk assessment
• Establish control of legionella procedures in water systems
• Keep records showing control measures and monitoring

EU Directive 2020/2187 sets a limit of 1000 CFU/L for legionella bacteria, requiring proactive prevention across critical building types (Source: UNECE – Report on Legionella in the Pan‑European Region).

These regulations emphasize:

• Temperature control
• Maintenance
• Periodic testing
• Established water management program

Why Manual Checks Aren’t Enough

Spot checks—especially in large or complex sites—may miss rising temperatures, stagnant water, or sections not yet affected by standard controls. Without continuous coverage, the risk from legionella remains.

Expert Solution: TUNDRA Probe with LoRaWAN®

The TUNDRA with a probe enhances legionella prevention by offering a continuous flow of water temperature data from key points in a building’s water systems. The probe—placed either inside the pipe or against a storage tank—gets real readings on water temperatures, beyond just ambient air measures.

Key Benefits:

1. Continuous Monitoring – Active tracking of cold water systems, hot water loops, and outlets.
2. Automated Alerts – When temperatures drift toward risk zones, the system triggers notifications.
3. Wide Coverage with LoRaWAN® – Sensors can transmit data throughout complex sites without wiring.
4. Long Battery Life – Up to 10–15 years of power, reducing maintenance needs.
5. Data Tracking & Compliance – Temperature logs aid in control of legionella bacteria, audits, and water management program tracking.

Facilities across the UK and Europe are already deploying TUNDRA as part of proactive legionella strategies.

Where to Install Sensors

TUNDRA should be used at:

• Hot water return loops → ensure 60°C+
• Cold water pipes → keep ≤ 20°C
• Storage tanks & hot tubs → monitor for heating control
• Low-use showers or outlets → avoid stagnant water

This works alongside regular flushing, system cleaning, and water samples, making for a complete legionella prevention approach.

Limitations—It’s Not a Single Solution

While monitoring water temperature lowers the risk of legionella, it does not guarantee zero presence of legionella bacteria. Infrastructure issues, pipe design, scale, or water samples may still identify problems.

Therefore:

• Pair sensors with laboratory testing
• Fix poor insulation or dead legs
• Maintain regular flushing and cleaning schedules

This combined strategy supports comprehensive control measures and effective risk management.

Conclusion

Legionella outbreaks and cases of legionnaires can lead to serious illness, legal exposure, and human cost. TEKTELIC’s TUNDRA sensor based on LoRaWAN® transforms water systems monitoring from periodic checks into an intelligent, continuous water management program.

If you’re responsible for facility safety, compliance, and protecting lives, now is the time to explore how TUNDRA can help simplify monitoring, improve control of legionella, reduce manual work, and support peace of mind.

Want to learn more? Get in touch to talk through deployment, pilot options, or how TUNDRA fits into your overall strategy: info@tektelic.com