Colleges and universities are more than academic institutions, they’re small communities. From dormitories and dining halls to gyms, laboratories, and aquatic facilities, these interconnected ecosystems depend on complex building water systems that must operate safely year-round. Within this infrastructure lies a persistent risk called Legionella bacteria, which is the cause of Legionnaires’ disease.

Legionella thrives in stagnant water, warm water, and poorly maintained plumbing: conditions that can easily occur in higher education settings during seasonal downtimes, fluctuating occupancy, or in under-monitored facilities like student gyms or dorm showers. When systems lack proper temperature control, water disinfection, or monitoring, the risk of Legionella growth increases sharply.

As part of EAI’s “The Water Industry is All Industry” campaign, this article explores how colleges can proactively manage Legionella in three high-use areas: dorms, gyms, and pools. With thoughtful water system design (hot water and cold water), preventive treatment, and data-driven management programs, institutions can protect not just infrastructure but also the students, faculty, and their broader campus community.

Dormitories: The Overlooked Risk in Showers and Sinks

Dormitories are among the most densely populated buildings on campus, yet their plumbing systems often receive less attention than labs or mechanical rooms. These buildings rely heavily on water systems (hot water and cold water), and water heaters to support student hygiene and comfort. When not properly maintained or monitored, they can quietly foster Legionella growth.

Key contributors include:

• Water stagnation in unoccupied rooms or during breaks.
• Fluctuating water temperatures, especially in mixed-use hot and cold systems.
• Inconsistent disinfection of fixtures like showers, sinks, and drinking fountains.

According to CDC guidance, water temperatures should be maintained above 120°F (49°C) in hot water systems to help prevent Legionella growth, without posing a scald risk. Yet without real-time data and consistent maintenance, these targets are often missed.

EAI works with colleges to implement tailored water management programs that include regular flushing, temperature monitoring, and preventative measures designed specifically for student housing. By addressing bacterial growth risk at the source, campuses can create safer environments while extending the lifespan of their plumbing systems.

Campus Gyms: Warm Water, Biofilms, and High Occupancy

Campus recreation centers and athletic facilities bring thousands of students into close proximity each week. From group fitness classes to locker room showers, these high-traffic spaces rely on warm water systems, showers, and shared equipment that can quietly support Legionella growth if not properly managed.

The risk isn’t just the presence of water but the combination of factors that make gyms a breeding ground for biofilm formation and other microbes. These include:

• High water temperatures that support bacterial growth
• Moist, enclosed spaces with limited air circulation
• Irregular cleaning and disinfection in lesser-used areas
• Intermittent use of showers and faucets, leading to stagnant water

Legionella bacteria don’t live in isolation. They survive and multiply within biofilms, which commonly form in the internal surfaces of plumbing and are difficult to eradicate once established. These biofilms offer protection not only to Legionella but also to other microbes, making them especially difficult to treat with conventional methods.

In high-use environments like student gyms, poorly managed temperature control or irregular flushing schedules can lead to increased risk even when systems appear to be functioning properly. Fixtures like steam rooms, saunas, or whirlpool spas further compound this risk, often operating at temperatures that support Legionella proliferation if disinfectant levels aren’t carefully monitored while aerosolizing bacteria for ingestion into student noses and mouths.

Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs: Perfect Conditions for Legionella

Campus aquatic facilities, whether indoor pools, spas, or hot tubs are designed for student recreation, athletics, and rehabilitation. But without diligent monitoring and maintenance, they can also become ideal environments for Legionella bacteria to thrive.

Unlike most bacteria, Legionella prefers warm water, a temperature range commonly found in heated pools and spa systems. These systems often contain biofilms, scale, and organic matter that provide the nutrients and shelter Legionella needs for bacterial growth.

Several risk factors make these areas especially vulnerable:

• Aerosolized water from jets and water features, increasing inhalation risk
• High concentrations of bathers contributing body oils, debris, and nutrients
• Fluctuating disinfectant levels if dosing equipment is improperly calibrated
• Complex plumbing loops that are difficult to fully drain or flush

Even properly chlorinated pools can harbor Legionella in biofilms or dead zones where disinfectant doesn’t penetrate. That’s why aquatic centers require disinfection programs that go beyond basic chlorination. Facilities that include whirlpool spas, hydrotherapy pools, or other systems operating at elevated temperatures demand even greater scrutiny. These features are commonly linked to Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks when water treatment is insufficient or preventative measures are inconsistent.

Water Management and Regulations for Higher Ed

Managing Legionella in higher education environments isn’t just about reacting to outbreaks. It’s also about proactively designing systems and processes that prevent them. That’s why a comprehensive water management program is essential for dorms, gyms, pools, and other systems across campus.

Guidelines from organizations like ASHRAE (188-2018), the CDC, and local health departments recommend or require institutions to assess Legionella risk and implement building-specific programs to monitor and control Legionella. These programs must identify:

• Where Legionella growth is likely (e.g., water heaters, cold water systems, cooling towers)
• How to maintain temperature control and disinfection
• What actions are taken to respond to deviations or alarms
• How responsibilities are assigned and documented

Unfortunately, many college campuses have aging infrastructure and inconsistent funding for facilities management, making implementation of these programs a challenge. Seasonal shutdowns, underused dorm wings, or changes in occupancy can create stagnant water in pipes, allowing bacterial growth and corrosion to flourish undetected.

Without real-time data on water temperature, flow rates, or disinfection residuals, facilities teams may miss early signs of increased risk. And with the growing presence of students from varying health backgrounds including those with respiratory vulnerabilities. Regulators are placing greater emphasis on prevention, especially in residential and recreational buildings.

A proper Legionella control plan includes:

• Establishing temperature and disinfectant parameters (e.g., maintaining ≥120°F hot water)
• Preventive flushing and sampling routines, especially after breaks
• Installation and monitoring of drift eliminators in cooling towers
• Use of effective disinfectants like chlorine dioxide or sodium hypochlorite

EAI helps colleges and universities navigate this complexity by designing and supporting water safety programs tailored to campuses.

How EAI Supports the Higher Education Industry

When it comes to managing Legionella risk, a piecemeal approach won’t cut it. Dorms, gyms, pools, labs, dining halls, and lecture buildings all connect through building water systems that require coordinated oversight. That’s why the EAI team brings the best solutions for water treatment for higher education.

As the market leader in California, Arizona, and Nevada college and university water management, EAI provides a one-stop solution for all campus water treatment needs. We understand that today’s students, faculty, and sustainability officers are not just demanding safe water. They expect smarter, more efficient systems that conserve resources while minimizing health risks.

Nearly 60% of campus water usage is tied to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, especially cooling towers and boilers. These are also among the most common sources of Legionella bacteria if not maintained. That’s why EAI’s Total Water solutions span:

• Cooling tower and boiler chemical treatments to control scale, corrosion, and microbial activity
• Potable water treatment to ensure safe and compliant drinking water across campus
• On-site wastewater reuse programs to help campuses meet sustainability goals and reduce utility costs
• Custom-designed filtration equipment for hot and cold water systems, including high-pressure boiler applications

What sets EAI apart is our ability to streamline water safety under one umbrella. Instead of juggling multiple vendors, facility managers get one point of contact, one integrated strategy, and one accountable partner. That’s especially valuable for institutions managing complex water loops, seasonal shutdowns, or growing international student populations who may be more vulnerable to waterborne diseases like Legionnaires’ disease.

EAI also supports campuses in developing robust water management programs aligned with ASHRAE 188, including:

• Detailed mapping of water systems
• Guidance on preventative measures and response protocols
• Support for temperature control, disinfection monitoring, and system maintenance
• Tailored chemical programs that minimize chemical waste while controlling Legionella growth

EAI brings the technical knowledge and long-term commitment needed to protect public health, preserve infrastructure, and empower campus sustainability efforts — all while making water management one less thing to worry about.

Campus Safety Starts with Smarter Water Systems

The health and safety of your campus community can begin within your water systems. EAI partners with institutions to deliver science-backed strategies for Legionella control, temperature regulation, disinfection monitoring, and long-term system health. Our team brings both the equipment and expertise to support safe, sustainable operations — campus-wide.

We believe that when water is properly maintained, they support far more than infrastructure. They support student learning, faculty confidence, and every degree earned on your campus.

If you’re interested in learning more, contact us today.