Response to Comments on Whiley Legionella Risk Management and Control in Potable Water Systems: Argument for the Abolishment of Routine Testing. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14, 12

I would like to thank Collins and Walker for their considered comments and for acknowledging that this is an area urgently requiring more research to improve Legionella control and management strategies [1].

I agree with Collins and Walker’s conclusion that the optimum solution would be a water system management strategy that, using an improved Legionella detection method, combines risk assessment, control measures, and routine testing. However, this is currently not an option, as a Legionella detection method that adequately represents the public health risk has not yet been identified [2].

I also suggest that the ‘zero-tolerance’ approach to Legionella utilized in many UK hospitals is an example of false confidence in the culture detection results. It demonstrates how a negative detection result may cause managers to assume their system is ‘Legionella-free’. However, as discussed in the commentary, this is not guaranteed [2].