Monochloramine for Remediation of Legionella Only in Domestic Hot Water Systems: An Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove

Monochloramine is a well-known disinfectant for drinking water with several advantages overchlorine and chlorine dioxide. With these two biocides, monochloramine is included in the US-EPAlist of disinfectants for drinking water. At the beginning of XXI century, epidemiological studiesdemonstrated its superior ability to control Legionella in hot water health-care premises. In 2005a research program started to set up a reliable and effective method to produce monochloraminedirectly in domestic hot water systems, at the safest concentration and without accumulation ofby-products. Results of these researches, which has been carried out with the collaboration ofItalian and American Institutions showed that monochloramine can be safely and reliably preparedand that it is the best approach to Legionella remediation in health-care facilities.