The relationship between Legionella bacteria and limescale deposits
The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health recommends regularly descaling water heating systems and provides information on the influence of limescale deposits on Legionella bacteria. Here is a summary of the most interesting findings from the 115-page recommendation report:
- High water temperatures promote limescale deposits. Unevenness in the pipes caused by limescale deposits, as well as stagnant water, encourages the formation of biofilms in which Legionella bacteria readily colonize and multiply , either free-living or inside the cells of amoebae and other protozoa.
- Limescale deposits build up on faucet components (e.g., aerators) . The rough surface of these deposits, along with the low-flow crevices and nutrients they provide, offers bacteria protection and opportunities to multiply. Faucet components must therefore be cleaned regularly. This involves removing them, cleaning, and descaling them.
Interested in the full report? Click here. 
Mediagon limescale protection combats Legionella indirectly by depriving them of their breeding ground and breeding ground – namely limescale and rust – in the pipe system.
