what information you really need from your laboratory results

The first couple of columns are pretty straight forward asking for what number was the sample, second column asking whether it was routine or resample, for the majority of you hopefully only your routine sample will be required to be entered, but if unfortunately your remedial actions don’t work you may have to enter in resample from the drop down box.  The third column is a yes or no options.

Finally to the fourth column where you need who ever is taking the water sample to record this information on the ‘Analysis Request Form’ the official form is asking whether it is a ‘first flush, second flush or Flushed (15, 30 seconds or 2 minutes).’

What do these mean I hear you ask?

A ‘first flush’ is meant to be representative of the water in the outlet and is the initial water that comes out of the outlet.

‘Second flush’ is meant to be representative of the water in the distribution system.

A ‘first flush’ and ‘second flush’ are meant to be taken in conjunction with each other.  If the ‘first flush’ comes back positive and the ‘second flush’ comes back negative, it indicates the Legionella has been flushed from the system and no remedial action or resample is required.   Using this method can be quite costly if you have 15 locations to sample as 30 samples would be required to be taken.

A ‘Flushed’ sample whether its 15, 30 seconds or 2 minutes is an indication of the water quality of the water distribution system.

As your Verification Monitoring (Legionella testing) is meant to be confirming that your Operational Monitoring is working, Compliance Water Services believes taking a Legionella sample that is representative of your water distribution system is the better approach to take.

Column Five ask what type of sample it is for example, cold, warm, hot, ice machine or Cooling Tower.  Please be aware that there is a difference between warm and hot. Warm water is generally from 25 – 45 degrees Celsius where as Hot water is above 50 degrees Celsius.  So the person taking your water samples needs to be aware of the types of water systems onsite and which ones they are taking the water from. Not just testing the temperature and guessing what type of system it is.

Columns Six and Seven are basically asking for the description of the outlet that the sample is taken from (Column Six) and the location the sample is taken from (Column Seven).

So on the ‘Analysis Request Form’ that is used, an example of an extry could be this:

1 – Indicates the sample number taken.

ABC – Compliance Water Services as independent samplers used a 3 letter abbreviation to ensure the privacy of the facility.

Hibiscus Wing, Level 1, Room 4 – the Location the sample was taken in.

Shower – the outlet the sample was taken from.

Cold – indicates which water system the sample was taken from

Flushed 30 Seconds – indicates the Collection method taken.

The above information is what should be recorded on the Legionella test results for you to assist in filling out the form required by QLD Health.