When the water supply itself is the source: what happened in Grand Rapids
When the water supply itself is the source: what happened in Grand Rapids In April 2023, health officials in Grand...
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Nearly every case of Legionnaires’ disease could have been prevented.
The Kopsi Foundation works to make prevention a requirement rather than an option.
What Legionnaires' disease is
- A severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which grow in building water systems that are not properly maintained.
- People catch it by breathing in fine water droplets — from a shower, a cooling tower, a spa pool, a fountain. It does not pass from person to person.
- About one in ten people who contract it die. Among those who catch it in a healthcare facility, it is roughly one in four.
- CDC’s review of its own outbreak investigations found that every deficiency behind those outbreaks could have been prevented by a properly implemented water management programme.
Where exposure happens
Legionella grows in the water systems of buildings, not in the people who use them. These are the three settings where most exposures occur — and in each one, the risk is manageable.
Hotels, resorts and cruise ships account for a large share of identified outbreaks. Hot tubs, spa pools, decorative fountains, and guest rooms left unused between bookings all give Legionella the two things it needs: warmth and time.
Prevented by: routine testing, flushing protocols, and a documented water management programme.
Cooling towers on offices, factories and data centres release fine mist that can drift well beyond the property line. People who never set foot in the building can be exposed walking past it.
Prevented by: tower registration, scheduled disinfection, and public reporting of test results.
Infections acquired in hospitals and nursing homes are the most dangerous of all — roughly one in four are fatal. The people most at risk are already unwell, and the source is almost always the building’s own plumbing.
Prevented by: mandatory water management programmes and prompt clinical reporting.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to prevent Legionnaires’ disease through public education, pass legislation in state legislatures focusing on preventing Legionnaires’ disease, and the promotion of safe water practices. We work to raise awareness, support research, and advocate for stronger standards that protect individuals and communities from this serious but preventable illness.
Find what you need
What the symptoms are, what to ask a doctor, and what to do if you think you were exposed.
What a water management programme involves, which systems carry the most risk, and where to start.
The burden, the evidence, and what effective legislation actually requires.
Know when it happens near you
We send occasional alerts on outbreaks, legislation and new research. No more than that.
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Medical disclaimer: This website provides general public health information and is not medical advice. It cannot substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a qualified clinician. If you believe you have been exposed to Legionella or are experiencing symptoms, contact a doctor or your local health department.