Expert group Legionella

We do everything we can to provide safe water to everyone in the Netherlands and to ensure better legislation regarding legionella. Additionally, the Legionella Expert Group makes knowledge available to organizations involved in legionella prevention. We aim to minimize the risk of legionella infection (Legionnaires’ disease) as much as possible.

With the preservation of drinking, process, and cooling water safety in the world, and the Netherlands as a guiding country, the Legionella Expert Group stands for:

• Improving drinking water quality to prevent legionella
• Reducing energy costs for households and businesses
• Lowering the costs of water supply in buildings
• Making legionella legislation more effective
• Saving water

“We keep water in the Netherlands safe for everyone!”

Legislation and regulations

The Legionella Expert Group is involved with the following legislation and regulations:

• Drinking Water Act
• Drinking Water Decree
• European Water Framework Directive
• Occupational Health and Safety Directive
• Relevant Certification

Questions? Or need more information? Please contact us. We are happy to help!

What is Legionella?

The Legionella bacterium grows in water with a temperature between 20 and 50 degrees Celsius. When this water is aerosolized, it is possible for someone to become infected by inhaling these water droplets. Between 300 and 400 patients annually develop pneumonia due to Legionella, though the actual number is likely slightly higher. In recent years, the number of patients with pneumonia caused by Legionella has been increasing.

Veterans’ Disease Foundation
The patient organization Veterans’ Disease Foundation aims to connect, support, and provide information to those affected. For more information, visit stichtingveteranenziekte.nl

Where does Legionella pose a risk?

• Showers
• Cooling towers
• Fountains
• Other water contamination

Objectives Expert Groep

We do everything we can to ensure safe water for the Netherlands and advocate for clear and consistent legislation. We achieve this by discussing laws and regulations, participating in NEN committees, conducting legionella analyses, playing an active role within Aqua Europe, and maintaining contact with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.

Heating water is commonly used to inactivate or kill Legionella. We aim for regulations that allow this process to be carried out responsibly at lower water temperatures. By applying the most efficient technologies, energy can be saved responsibly, and the environmental impact can be reduced.

Research has shown that wastewater treatment plants pose a risk for Legionella contamination. As an expert group, we actively contribute to gathering knowledge and providing potential solutions. We share our experiences and expertise with industry associations, government bodies, and research institutes.

• The expert group actively advises and mediates in relation to laws and regulations concerning Legionella prevention in the Netherlands and Europe.
• Focused on applying and improving all possible prevention techniques.
• Exerting influence on other organizations involved in Legionella prevention, such as KWR, TVVL, or ISSO.

Expert group members:

Chair:
Egbert Leiting

• Dries van Asselt – Sansidor B.V.
• Bram van der Baan – D.P. Pompen – Duivelaar pompen
• Monique Bastmeijer – WeL Groep
• Barbara Berson – Uvox Redox B.V.
• Marco den Boer – Lubron Waterbehandeling B.V.
• Wietze Boonstra – Uvidis
• Boris Colsen – Colsen B.V.
• Willlie Driessen – Paques Technology B.V.
• Tim Drost – Drost Legionella Preventie B.V.
• Rob van Esch – VGE
• Albert Jan Foederer – Van Remmen UV Techniek B.V.
• Bart Frederiks – SGI Compliance
• Lambert van Gameren – Aquraat B.V.
• Raymond van der Heijden – BWT Nederland B.V.
• Rob van Henten – Aquaservice Nederland B.V.
• Frank van Heusden – Fealter B.V.
• Mascha van Hofweegen – KWA Bedrijfsadviseurs
• Antoine van Hoorn – VonkWater
• Ric de Jong – Holland Building Maintenance B.V.
• Kevin Kanters – Hydroscope B.V.
• Wim Karsemeijer – Holland Water
• Arran Kassens – PB Your Filter Factory
• Roderick Kortenhof – Aqua Assistence B.V.
• Peter van de Linde – Water Alliance
• Jan Willem Meisen – Van Remmen UV Techniek B.V.
• Micha Müller – Novochem Water Treatment
• Johan Pap – Xylem Water Solutions Nederland
• Lamber Paping – PEWA B.V.
• Henk Peelen – Hydroscope B.V.
• Henk Rens – PEWA B.V.
• Jaap Rosink – Pentair Water Technology B.V.
• Hans Schoon – Omegam Water B.V.
• Rixt Sinnema – Water Alliance
• Rene Staal – Zebraport B.V.
• John Vink – Georg Fischer
• Wick Wesselink – Unica Installatietechniek B.V.
• Matthijs Westerlaken – Blygold Laboratories B.V.
• Leo de Zeeuw – Holland Water

SDGs as a guideline

The ambition of Water Alliance is to keep our environment livable and healthy, and to limit and manage climate change.

Would you like to contribute to our expert group?

The Legionella expert group works on spreading the necessary knowledge in the market. This group consists of members who each have specific knowledge of Legionella and Legionella control or prevention. With our expert group, we aim not only to share this knowledge but also to influence guidelines and regulations. We meet regularly to consult and brainstorm with stakeholders.

Would you like to contribute to our expert group? Or do you have a specific question? Please contact us!