Recent Advances in Legionella Research - with Bart Bleys of CIB W062: Water Supply and Drainage

Описание: 🔬 Recent Advances in Legionella Research: Energy Efficiency Without Compromising Health

How can we reduce domestic hot water temperatures to save energy — without increasing the risk of Legionella?

In this CIB Presidential Seminar, the coordinator of CIB Working Group W062 Water Supply and Drainage Bart Bleys, presents cutting-edge experimental research addressing one of the most pressing challenges in building services engineering: balancing energy efficiency with public health protection.

This session covers:

• The activities and global research scope of CIB W062 – Water Supply and Drainage
• Legionella growth mechanisms in building water systems
• Experimental findings from full-scale contaminated test installations
• The effectiveness (and limits) of thermal shock strategies
• Storage tanks vs. plate heat exchangers
• Implications for low-temperature heat pumps and district heating systems
• Emerging non-chemical mitigation methods (UV-C, ultrafiltration)
• International collaboration between Belgian and Dutch research teams

The research directly addresses a critical question for the built environment:

Is it possible to lower domestic hot water temperatures for energy savings while maintaining microbiological safety?

With increasing use of heat pumps, low-temperature networks, and decarbonisation strategies, this topic is highly relevant to:

• Building services researchers
• Civil and environmental engineering academics
• PhD candidates in water systems and building performance
• Public health and infrastructure researchers
• Professionals working on standards and regulation
• Sustainable construction and energy systems scholars

The presentation includes full-scale laboratory data, longitudinal monitoring of Legionella concentrations, and evidence-based conclusions with direct implications for policy and system design.

🌍 Organised by the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB)

To learn more about CIB Working Group W062 and upcoming symposia, visit the CIB website.