Legionella Reduction in Healthcare Facilities: Proven SHP Solution

Sites: Main clinical building and adjacent outpatient facility (repurposed older
structures)

Solutions Delivered:
– Trial and implementation of stabilised hydrogen peroxide (SHP) for water
system remediation
– Water quality monitoring and risk management
– Optimisation of dosing and flushing protocols
– Assessment of infrastructure impacts and asset longevity

Key Project Outcomes & Value Add:
– Marked reduction in Legionella and heterotrophic plate count (HPC) levels
– Metal concentrations remained within safe limits
– Improved water safety confidence among staff and patients
– Reduced aesthetic impacts (taste, odour) compared to chlorine
– Demonstrated viability of SHP for managing opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs) in healthcare

Project Overview:

A large private hospital in Australia – featuring ageing pipework dating back to the 1970s – experienced persistent water quality issues caused by biofilm buildup, stagnant sections (“dead legs”) and recurring Legionella contamination. Conventional control methods such as routine flushing, pasteurisation, and increased chlorine dosing provided only temporary improvement, particularly in the older outpatient facility.

To address the issue, the hospital partnered with Ecosafe International to trial a stabilised hydrogen peroxide (SHP) water treatment solution, marking a first for Australian healthcare. The project involved a controlled SHP shock dosing process combined with systematic flushing and extensive monitoring of both microbial and chemical parameters.

Although initial dosing mobilised biofilms and temporarily elevated microbial counts, subsequent monitoring confirmed a significant, sustained reduction in Legionella and HPC levels. The intervention restored confidence in the hospital’s water safety and demonstrated SHP as a practical and innovative approach for managing waterborne pathogens in complex, ageing healthcare infrastructure.