THE PROBLEM

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Tilburg University, one of the most prominent educational institutions in the Netherlands, faced a critical water safety issue.

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With over 20 buildings under its management, including lecture halls, libraries, and dormitories, the risk of Legionella contamination was a growing concern.

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The tipping point came when a staff member contracted Legionnaires' disease, highlighting the vulnerability of the university's water systems.

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The university had a reactive approach to water safety management. The technical team, composed of just two people, relied on labor-intensive manual checks and hand-recorded data. With Johan, a key member of the team, preparing for retirement, there was a risk of losing critical water safety knowledge within the organisation.

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“Before, everything was manual—data was hand-recorded, which took up time and increased the chance for mistakes. Now, with LegionellaDossier, it’s all automated. It’s a game-changer.” - Johan Verhoeven

These checks required intensive labour, were prone to human error, and involved hand-registering data—a time-consuming process that introduced inefficiencies.

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Moreover, during the COVID-19 lockdown, the use of water outlets significantly dropped, creating ideal conditions for Legionella growth. Buildings stood empty or had limited occupancy, and the risk of stagnation in the water system increased drastically.

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The university needed a solution that could automate water safety checks and provide real-time data, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations while protecting staff, students, and visitors.

THE SOLUTION

To tackle these challenges, Tilburg University implemented LegionellaDossier’s automated water safety solution.

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The system included Bluetooth-enabled thermometers that allowed the technical team to quickly and accurately measure water temperatures at various outlets.

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"By connecting the thermometers to LegionellaDossier’s app, data from each temperature check was automatically uploaded in our digital logbook. This helped us to be 2x as fast!"

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This completely removed the need for manual data entry and drastically reduced the risk of human error.

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The cloud system ensured that critical data was not only saved but also easily accessible, providing a clear and reliable history of all water safety checks across the campus.

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One of the key benefits of the system was its user-friendly design. With Johan preparing for retirement, the solution allowed his colleague to continue operations seamlessly, without the need for extensive training or complicated handover processes.

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The system preserved Johan’s expertise within the organisation, ensuring that knowledge wasn't lost after his departure.

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The software also offered real-time monitoring and alert features, allowing the team to receive immediate notifications if water temperatures at any outlet were outside the safe range.

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This proactive approach enabled the university to address potential Legionella risks before they escalated into serious health threats. Even with only two people managing over 20 buildings, the university was able to maintain full compliance with water safety regulations.

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This capability proved especially valuable during the COVID-19 lockdown, when water stagnation in underused buildings posed a heightened risk. The digital solution allowed for continuous monitoring and swift responses, reducing the chance of Legionella bacteria growth.

LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE

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With the successful integration of LegionellaDossier, Tilburg University is now well-positioned for the future. The university is exploring additional features, such as long-term data analysis and predictive tools, to further enhance its proactive water safety measures.

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The system has not only empowered the small technical team to manage over 20 buildings more effectively but also safeguarded critical knowledge, ensuring smooth operations even after staff transitions.

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Moving forward, Tilburg University aims to maintain high standards of water safety, using digital innovation to ensure the health and well-being of students, staff, and visitors.

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LegionellaDossier has provided a scalable, efficient, and user-friendly platform, ensuring that the university remains compliant with water safety standards while reducing the risk of Legionella outbreaks.

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This case study emphasizes how LegionellaDossier helped Tilburg University automate their processes, preserve institutional knowledge, and maintain water safety with limited resources

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“As I prepared for retirement, I needed something simple and reliable to hand over. LegionellaDossier made the transition smooth, and nothing was lost in the process.” - Johan Verhoeven