Rapid Legionella Detection: Transforming Facilities Safety with Hydrosense

Effective water safety management is critical for facilities teams, especially in healthcare and public sector environments where risk is heightened. Hydrosense, the pioneer of the world’s fastest Legionella pneumophila test for water and biofilm, is changing how facilities manage this persistent threat, delivering results in just 25 minutes, without the wait time of traditional testing.

Legionella pneumophila is the primary cause of Legionnaires’ disease, responsible for all cases in the U.S. over the past 17 years and the majority in Europe. The mortality rate can reach over 45% in healthcare settings1 and as high as 80% in untreated immunocompromised individuals2. Those who survive this devastating disease may experience long-term side effects, with 88% having quality-of-life impacts like memory loss, fatigue, muscle problems and PSTD3. With Legionella doubling every 24 hours, delays in detection significantly increase risk.

In hospitals, care homes, and complex buildings, vulnerable users, including elderly and immunocompromised patients, are at greater risk. Moreover, 50% of non-contact taps have been found to harbour Legionella4, raising concerns even in areas designed for hygiene. Staff are also at risk, particularly when exposed to aerosolised water from contaminated outlets. As such, Legionella control is both a public health and occupational safety priority.

Hydrosense tests use Lateral Flow Immunochromatographic Assay (LFICA) technology to detect Legionella pneumophila, technology which is similarly used for COVID-19 or pregnancy tests, so detects antigens quickly and reliably. These tests require no specialist training, no lab access, and no sample transportation, making them ideal for on-the-ground facilities teams.

The product suite includes:

• Hydrosense PRO Ultra Water Test – Detects L. pneumophila serogroups 1–15 at 100 CFU/L, covering broader risk.
• Hydrosense PRO Ultra Swab Test – Identifies surface contamination at 200 CFU/swabbed area.
• Hydrosense PRO Industrial Kit – A comprehensive kit for repeated water testing at scale and detects L. pneumophila serogroups 1–15 at 100 CFU/L.
   

Hydrosense enables immediate action - supporting faster remediation, reduced disruption, and better compliance with water safety regulations. For facilities managers, this means improved control over Legionella without relying solely on slow, external testing methods.

As water systems grow in complexity and building users become more vulnerable, Hydrosense offers a proactive, practical tool to protect both people and infrastructure. Fast, user-friendly, and accurate - Hydrosense is setting an actionable benchmark in Legionella risk management across the public sector.

Sources:

1: https://bit.ly/3VEVHMe
2 : https://bit.ly/3si78uO
3: https://bit.ly/4eucXg5)
4: https://bit.ly/4mNbLIQ