Greater risk of legionella through corona?

Legionella bacteria normally live in the water in small numbers. With sufficient water supply, biofilm (a slimy layer in the water pipe) does not stand a chance as a breeding ground and the legionella bacteria are easily flushed away to the sewer.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of buildings has changed, mainly because of the restrictive measures imposed by the government. Because of the Corona crisis, many companies have been (temporarily / partially) closed. The logical consequence is a reduced water supply and also no or limited execution of preventive legionella control tasks like flushing. In warm, stagnant water the legionella bacteria can quickly grow to larger and dangerous numbers.

In the Netherlands, the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) monitors compliance with the rules for legionella prevention in drinking water. On their website, a regular update is given on the legal rules and measures during this pandemic.

https://www.ilent.nl/onderwerpen/coronavirus-en-water-bodem-en-legionella/legionella