Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Legionella is a type of bacteria that is naturally found in water, especially warm water. It is also the cause of Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever, which can occur when people inhale small water droplets containing it.
Tragically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 1 out of every 10 people who get sick with Legionnaires' disease will die due to complications from their illness.
Legionella becomes a health concern when it grows and spreads in human-made water systems like:
• Showerheads and sink faucets
• Decorative fountains and water features
• Hot water tanks and heaters
• Large, complex plumbing systems
• Cooling towers
• Hot tubs
Regarding hot tubs, the CDC provides information to help protect against exposure risks. The agency cautions that people can be exposed to Legionella in hot tubs when the bacteria get into water systems and multiply. In fact, the CDC warns that hot tubs maintain water temperatures within the most favorable range for Legionella growth (77–113°F, 25–45°C), and they also create aerosols and accelerate the decay of disinfectants.
Fortunately, there are a number of steps that can be taken to mitigate exposure risks to Legionella in hot tubs. The CDC shares design recommendations, water management program tips, plus information about operation, maintenance, and control limits.
These are just a few of the many things to know about potential Legionella exposure risks from hot tubs. To learn more about this or other infection control, indoor air quality, environmental, health, or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
Legionella is a type of bacteria that is naturally found in water, especially warm water. It is also the cause of Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever, which can occur when people inhale small water droplets containing it.
Tragically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 1 out of every 10 people who get sick with Legionnaires' disease will die due to complications from their illness.
Legionella becomes a health concern when it grows and spreads in human-made water systems like:
• Showerheads and sink faucets
• Decorative fountains and water features
• Hot water tanks and heaters
• Large, complex plumbing systems
• Cooling towers
• Hot tubs
Regarding hot tubs, the CDC provides information to help protect against exposure risks. The agency cautions that people can be exposed to Legionella in hot tubs when the bacteria get into water systems and multiply. In fact, the CDC warns that hot tubs maintain water temperatures within the most favorable range for Legionella growth (77–113°F, 25–45°C), and they also create aerosols and accelerate the decay of disinfectants.
Fortunately, there are a number of steps that can be taken to mitigate exposure risks to Legionella in hot tubs. The CDC shares design recommendations, water management program tips, plus information about operation, maintenance, and control limits.
These are just a few of the many things to know about potential Legionella exposure risks from hot tubs. To learn more about this or other infection control, indoor air quality, environmental, health, or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
