The Wake-Up Call: Legionella in Gyms
In late 2025, a Central Florida gym became the center of a Legionnaires' disease outbreak investigation. Fourteen confirmed and suspected cases were reported—all linked to gym exposure. The facility's spa was closed due to violations, and health officials conducted extensive environmental testing of showers, hot water heaters, water fountains, bathroom sinks, and the exterior water main [1][2].
This wasn't the first time that location had seen Legionella problems. In 2017, when the same facility operated as an LA Fitness, it was linked to an outbreak that sickened at least three people [3]. The pattern is clear: gyms present unique Legionella risks, and without proper prevention, history repeats itself.
The Legal Reality
If you are an employer or someone in control of premises, including gyms and fitness centers, you have a legal duty to identify and control risks associated with legionella [4]. Failure to do so can result in prosecution, fines, and civil liability.
Your Legal Duty: What the Law Requires
Under health and safety regulations, gym owners and operators are legally required to protect members and staff from Legionella. This applies to any business with a water supply—including gyms, sports clubs, hotels, and leisure centers [5].
Your Duties Include
- Conduct a Legionella risk assessment
- Action all identified risks with remedial works
- Sample water quality to confirm bacterial presence
- Carry out ongoing monitoring and record-keeping [4]
The CDC emphasizes that water management programs (WMPs) can reduce the risk for Legionella growing and spreading within water systems and devices. Legionella WMPs are now an industry standard for many buildings in the United States [6].
Gym Hotspots: Where Legionella Hides
Showers & Locker Rooms
Showerheads and sink faucets create aerosols. Damp conditions and warm temperatures promote growth [1].
Hot Tubs & Spas
Chlorine breaks down rapidly above 78°F. Hot tubs operate at 96-104°F—ideal for Legionella growth [3].
Cooling Towers
Aerosols from cooling towers can spread Legionella over large areas [3].
Hot Water Heaters
Scale buildup in water heaters provides biofilm habitat and reduces temperature control [1].
Water Fountains
Stagnant water in fountains can harbor bacteria, especially if not regularly flushed [1].
Ice Machines
Warmth and stagnation in ice machine reservoirs can promote biofilm [3].
Conditions That Promote Legionella Growth
20-45°C
Ideal temperature range [4]
Biofilm
Protective habitat [4]
Scale
Surface for attachment [4]
Stagnation
Low flow conditions [7]
The CDC warns that stagnant, or standing water can cause conditions that increase the risk for growth and spread of Legionella and other biofilm-associated bacteria. When water is stagnant, hot water temperatures can decrease to the Legionella growth range (77-108°F, 25-42°C). Stagnant water can also lead to low or undetectable levels of disinfectant, such as chlorine [7].
Critical Distinction: Reactive Management vs. True Prevention
Most gyms respond to Legionella risk with reactive measures—flushing, temperature checks, and chemical dosing. But these address symptoms, not root causes. The difference matters when members' health is on the line.
- Flushing protocols - Temporary fix, water waste [7]
- Temperature monitoring - Scale insulates pipes, masking true conditions
- Chemical dosing - Ongoing costs, handling hazards
- Reactive testing - Only after problems appear
- Biofilm remains - Scale provides permanent habitat
- Outbreak risk persists - Florida gym case proves it [2]
- Scale eliminated - Removes biofilm habitat [4]
- Temperature control restored - No insulation from scale
- Zero chemicals - No dosing, no hazards
- Continuous protection - 24/7 scale prevention
- Biofilm can't establish - No rough surfaces to attach
- Outbreak risk minimized - Root cause eliminated
The Scale Connection
Conditions contributing to Legionella growth include "available nutrients (including sediment, biofilm, algae, scale, rust, material, etc.)" and "presence of biofilm on surfaces of water" [4]. Scale is the foundation upon which biofilm builds. Eliminate scale, and you eliminate the foundation.
CDC Framework: Building a Water Management Program
The CDC recommends a comprehensive water management program (WMP) for buildings with Legionella risk. This toolkit is designed to help building owners and managers understand which buildings and devices need a Legionella WMP, what makes a good program, and how to develop it [6].
1. Team
Establish a water management team with clear roles [6]
2. Diagram
Create complete water system flow diagrams [6]
3. Hazards
Identify areas where Legionella could grow [6]
4. Controls
Implement control measures including scale prevention [6]
5. Monitor
Routine monitoring of control measures [6]
6. Intervene
Prompt corrective action when limits exceeded [6]
7. Document
Maintain complete records [6]
8. Validate
Confirm program effectiveness [6]
"Ensure that your water system is safe to use after a prolonged shutdown to minimize the risk of Legionnaires' disease and other diseases associated with water." [7]
Real Proof: Moroccan Hammam Bathhouse
Facility: Traditional Moroccan Hammam Bathhouse
Location: Morocco
Application: Hot water system with extreme hardness
The Challenge
This traditional bathhouse faced severe scale buildup in their hot water system. The combination of high temperatures and extreme water hardness created thick scale deposits that provided ideal habitat for biofilm formation—exactly the conditions that promote Legionella growth [8].
The Results
- Scale eliminated from hot water system
- Biofilm habitat removed
- "Water feels softer" - improved user experience [8]
- Chemical cleaning eliminated
Relevance to Gyms
The same conditions that plagued this bathhouse—high temperatures, hard water, scale buildup—exist in every gym shower and hot tub. If Vulcan can eliminate scale and biofilm in a traditional bathhouse, it can do the same for your fitness center.
Real Proof: CHSLD Long-Term Care Centres
Facility: CHSLD Long-Term Care Centres (12 facilities)
Location: Quebec, Canada
Application: Domestic hot water systems
The Challenge
This network of long-term care facilities faced chronic scale in domestic hot water systems. Scale provided persistent biofilm habitat, raising infection control concerns in a vulnerable population [9].
The Results
- Zero water heater failures in 2 years
- Scale eliminated—biofilm habitat removed
- Consistent hot water temperatures maintained
- Chemical treatment eliminated [9]
Infection Control Connection
The same biofilm that threatens hospital patients also threatens gym members—especially those over 50, smokers, or immunocompromised individuals [3].
By eliminating scale, Vulcan removes the surface where biofilm attaches and where Legionella finds protection from disinfectants.
Post-Shutdown Risks: COVID Lessons for Gyms
The CDC warns that stagnant water after prolonged shutdowns creates ideal conditions for Legionella growth. This is particularly relevant for gyms that may have closed during the pandemic or for seasonal maintenance [7].
Why Stagnation Matters
- Hot water temperatures can decrease to growth range (77-108°F)
- Disinfectant levels (chlorine) become low or undetectable
- Biofilm thickens in low-flow conditions
- Scale deposits remain as permanent habitat [7]
CDC Recommendations
- Flush hot and cold water through all points of use
- Ensure water heater set to at least 120°F
- Clean decorative water features
- Ensure hot tubs/spas are free of visible slime or biofilm [7]
After your water system has returned to normal, ensure that the risk of Legionella growth is minimized by regularly checking water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, and disinfectant levels [7].
ROI Calculator: Mid-Size Fitness Center
| Reactive Management Costs | |
| Legionella risk assessment (annual) | $500 - $2,500 |
| Water testing/sampling (quarterly) | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Chemical treatment (biocides, disinfectants) | $2,500 - $5,000 |
| Labor for flushing protocols (40 hours @ $25/hr) | $1,000 |
| Documentation and record-keeping | $500 - $1,500 |
| Total annual reactive cost | $5,500 - $13,000 |
| With Vulcan (Preventive) | |
| Risk assessment (still required by law) | $500 - $2,500 |
| Water testing (reduced frequency) | $500 - $1,500 |
| Chemical treatment eliminated | $2,500 - $5,000 saved |
| Flushing labor eliminated | $1,000 saved |
| Documentation simplified | $500 - $1,500 saved |
| Total Annual Savings | $4,500 - $9,000 |
The Legal ROI
One Legionella-related lawsuit can cost $500,000+ in legal fees, settlements, and reputational damage. The 2017 outbreak at the same Florida gym location proves that history repeats itself without proper prevention [3].
Get Exact Pricing for Your Gym
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- Existing customers: Log in to your account to view model-specific pricing
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Recommended Vulcan Models for Fitness Centers
Different facility sizes require different models. Create an account for detailed specifications and pricing.
Vulcan S50 / S100
Single shower room, small spa
Shower water heaters
Small hot tubs
Kitchen/break area fixtures
✓ Ideal for boutique fitness studios
Vulcan S150 / S250
Multiple shower rooms, locker rooms
Central water heaters
Multiple shower banks
Spa/hot tub systems
✓ Zero maintenance, zero consumables
Vulcan X-PRO Series
Multiple buildings, pools, spas
Main water lines
Pool heating systems
Multiple spa/hot tub circuits
✓ Permanent scale prevention
Gym Legionella Prevention Checklist
- Conduct Legionella risk assessment - Identify all water assets [4]
- Create water system diagram - Map all outlets, heaters, tanks [6]
- Install Vulcan on main water lines - Prevent scale and biofilm habitat
- Maintain hot water temperature >120°F at outlets [7]
- Monitor disinfectant levels - Chlorine, bromine in spas [3]
- Document all actions - Maintain water logbook [4]
- Train staff - Recognize risks, report issues [4]
- Review program annually - Update as needed [6]
References
- WESH. (2025). Crunch Fitness Ocoee says Legionella bacteria not found during state tests.
- Orlando Sentinel. (2025). 14 Legionnaires' disease cases now linked to Central Florida gym.
- Pritzker Hageman. (2025). A Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak at Crunch Fitness in Ocoee, FL?
- uRisk Safety Services. (2021). Legionella Services For Gyms: Water Testing Public Spaces.
- Falkirk Council. Legionella - Health and safety at work.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Toolkit: Developing a Legionella Water Management Program.
- CDC. (2020). Guidance for Building Water Systems (archived).
- Vulcan Descaler. Moroccan Hammam Bathhouse Case Study.
- Vulcan Descaler. CHSLD Long-Term Care Centres ROI Feedback.
- CDC. (2024). Toolkits - Control Legionella.
Questions for Your Legionella Risk Assessment
- What is the temperature of our hot water at return?
- Are there any "dead legs" or infrequently used outlets?
- Is scale visible in showers, faucets, or equipment?
- What is our disinfectant residual level in spas?
- Do we have a complete water system diagram?
- Are all maintenance actions documented?
- Could scale be providing biofilm habitat in our system?
Vulcan provides the answers—and the solution.
Protect Your Members, Protect Your Business
Join fitness centers nationwide in eliminating the scale that harbors Legionella—without chemicals, without complex protocols.
About the Author
Waslix (Vulcan Mineral Descaler) provides non-chemical, maintenance-free scale prevention for fitness centers worldwide. Our physical impulse technology eliminates the scale that harbors biofilm and protects Legionella from disinfectants—helping gym owners meet their legal duty while reducing operating costs. Create an account for detailed model specifications and pricing.
