Public health officials in the United States have issued updated guidance on Legionella prevention in vacation rentals, highlighting water safety risks linked to hot tubs, plumbing systems and poorly maintained water heaters.
The guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlines practical steps for vacation rental owners and property managers to reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria.
The recommendations target the fast-growing short-term rental sector, where private accommodation increasingly offers amenities such as hot tubs, pools and complex plumbing systems.
According to the CDC, people become infected when they inhale small droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria that have grown in building water systems.
Water system maintenance in short-term rentals
The CDC guidance stresses that maintaining safe building water systems is the most effective way to prevent Legionella growth in vacation rentals. Legionella bacteria thrive in warm, stagnant water and environments with low disinfectant levels.
For property owners and managers, the agency highlights several operational measures:
- Maintain hot water systems at 120°F (49°C) or higher to reduce bacterial growth.
- Flush water heaters routinely following manufacturer instructions.
- Inspect and maintain water softeners and filtration systems, which can become breeding sites if not properly serviced.
- Check responsibility for water system management in buildings with shared plumbing, such as condominiums or apartment complexes.
In multi-unit buildings with centralised hot water systems, the CDC notes that operators may need a formal water management programme to monitor temperature, disinfectant levels and other conditions that affect bacterial growth.
Hot tubs identified as higher-risk feature
The agency’s advisory also focuses on hot tub safety in vacation rentals, which is frequently linked to travel-associated cases of Legionnaires’ disease.
CDC data show that roughly half of patients with Legionnaires’ disease who reported travel and staying in a vacation rental also reported using a hot tub during their stay.
Hot tubs present specific risks because they operate within a temperature range favourable to Legionella growth and produce aerosols that can be inhaled by users.
Recommended precautions include:
- Maintaining appropriate disinfectant and pH levels in water
- Regular cleaning and draining of tubs
- Ensuring filtration and mechanical components are accessible for routine maintenance
- Following local health regulations and manufacturer guidance
The CDC also advises operators to inform guests with underlying health conditions that they may face higher risk when using hot tubs.
Industry implications for property managers
The guidance reflects broader public health attention on travel-associated Legionnaires’ disease, which can occur when multiple cases are linked to a single accommodation within a year.
With the global short-term rental market expanding through platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com, regulators and health authorities have increased focus on water management in hospitality and rental properties.
The CDC states that implementing preventive maintenance, temperature control and routine inspection of water systems can significantly reduce Legionella risks in buildings.
Effective water management programmes are considered the primary strategy for preventing Legionnaires’ disease in hospitality environments.
For vacation rental owners and property management companies, the agency’s recommendations aim to support safe operations while reducing the likelihood of travel-associated outbreaks linked to rental accommodation.
