BTES sets the temperature of the water in our water heater tanks at 135 degrees to reduce the chance of our customers running out of hot water when we cycle them off as part of the program and to reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease.
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella. Found naturally in the environment, Legionella grows best in warm water, such as the kind found in hot water heater tanks.
Legionella grows best at temperatures between 68 degrees and 122 degrees. Setting our water heater temperatures at 135 degrees helps kill this bacteria. People can become infected with Legionnaires’ disease when they breathe in a mist or vapor containing the bacteria. The bacteria are not spread through person-to-person contact.
Most healthy people exposed to the bacteria do not become ill. People at a higher risk of getting sick include the elderly, those with chronic lung disease, current or former smokers, those with a weakened immune system, and those who take medications that suppress the immune system. Although Legionnaires’ disease primarily affects the lungs, it occasionally can cause infections in wounds. Most cases can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
