Table of contents:
- Worthing Integrated Care Centre Overview
- What Is Legionella?
- How Is Legionella Caused?
- Why This Matters
- How Our Products Help Manage Legionella Risks
- Expertise in Safe DHW Generation and Distribution
Worthing Integrated Care Centre Overview
Nearly a year after construction finished, the Worthing Integrated Care Centre (WICC) still hasn’t opened.
Despite being handed over in December 2024, the new NHS facility remains empty due to persistent legionella contamination within its water system.
Contractor Galliford Try has taken back control of the site to remedy the problem, including installing a larger pump and carrying out modifications. Until the building’s water system is fully safe and compliant, the centre cannot be used by staff or patients.
What Is Legionella?
Legionella is a naturally occurring bacteria found in freshwater environments. It becomes hazardous when it grows inside man-made water systems.
The most serious illness it causes is Legionnaires’ disease, a severe type of pneumonia. Other conditions include Pontiac fever and Lochgoilhead fever, which cause flu-like symptoms. These illnesses are contracted by inhaling tiny water droplets of the contaminated water.
How Is Legionella Caused?
Legionella growth happens when water systems provide the right conditions – warmth, stagnation and nutrients. There are many factors which can cause Legionella growth, including:
1. Poor Temperature Control
- Legionella thrives in water temperatures between 20°C – 45°C.
- Hot water should be stored at or above 60°C and cold water should be kept below 20°C.
2. Incorrect System Sizing (Pipes, Tanks, Pumps)
- Causes water to remain in pipes or tanks for too long.
- Pumps likely to be unable to achieve proper circulation.
3. Stagnant or Low-Flow Water
- Stagnation can cause dis-infectant levels to drop.
- Creates ideal conditions for bacteria to multiply.
4. Build-ups of Scale & Sediment
- The build up of limescale, rust and sediment protects bacteria.
- Build-up reduces effectiveness of disinfection.
5. Inadequate Disinfection
- Low chlorine or poor water treatment.
- Irregular monitoring and/or system failures.
6. Poorly Maintained Water Systems
- A lack of cleaning or maintenance fuels bacteria growth.
- Faulty components can create warm, stagnant zones.
Why This Matters
The delay at the Worthing Integrated Care Centre highlights the importance of rigorous water safety planning throughout the entire building lifecycle, from design and sizing to commissioning and ongoing maintenance.
Even new facilities can face serious contamination if design, installation, testing or operation is not carried out to standard.
For healthcare environments, the consequences of failure are particularly high. Until the Worthing Integrated Care Centre’s water system is fully remediated and compliant, the building will remain closed.
How Our Products Help Manage Legionella Risks
At Virdis Energy, our solutions are designed to control water temperatures and prevent Legionella. Our GP Series Packaged Domestic Hot Water units are equipped with a standard secondary temperature setting of 10°C/60°C, ensuring that water systems in high-risk environments like prisons, hospitals and schools are safely maintained.
Expertise in Safe DHW Generation and Distribution
We are experts in DHW generation and safe hot water distribution, with extensive experience in high-risk environments. Our solutions not only meet temperature requirements but also provide instantaneous DHW generation, ensuring safe water delivery without delays.
Explore our range of safe, efficient heat exchangers.
Explore our range of safe, efficient boilers and water heaters.
Contact our technical team today at [email protected] or call 0333 567 1121.