Legionella Water Testing Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Global Industry Analysis: By Sample Type (Water Samples and Swab Samples), By Testing Methods (DFA Stain, PCR, Microbial Culture and Others), By Application (Potable Water, Cooling Towers, Healthcare Facilities and Recreational Water), By End-Use Industry (Commercial Facilities, Manufacturing and Industrial Plants, Public Facilities, Healthcare Institutions and Residential Buildings) and Region Forecast 2019-2030

Legionella Water Testing Market size was valued at US$ 192.1 million in 2023 and grow at significant CAGR of 10.1% from 2024-2030. Legionella water testing is performed to detect and identify legionella in the water system, with the aim of preventing Legionnaires' disease, one of the severe forms of pneumonia. Depending on the techniques used, culture techniques, urinary antigen tests (UAT), serology, and direct fluorescent antibody tests (DFA) may be applied. Water Testing segment was valued at US$ 135.6 Mn in 2019 and grown at 9.6% CAGR over the historic years (2019-2023) to reach US$ 211.6 Mn in 2024.

The water testing is expected to witness highest market share due to increased water testing activities in various industries as a preventive measure to control infections. Water Testing is projected to represent lucrative market opportunity over the forecast period in global legionella testing market with opportunity index of 1.3.Legionella water testing has experienced increased market growth due to growing awareness of Legionnaires' disease, stringent regulations regarding water testing, and improved technology in conducting testing practices.

Key Players

The Legionella Water Testing market share is inclusive of several companies such as ChemREADY, Legionella, Hydrosense, Phigenics, Rqmicro, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Qiagen N.V., Aquacert Ltd., IDEXX Corporation and so on.

In the market, a top key player like Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is one of the most recognizable names. The company offers cutting-edge testing technologies that identify Legionella bacteria within water systems to ensure safety and conformity to regulations. Among its high-profile products is the qualyfast™ Legionella PCR and DNA Extraction Kits which offers rapid and precise results for on-site tests. The strong distribution networks for Thermo Fisher across North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific further reinforce their stronghold in the market.

Key Takeaways

• The fastest-growing region is Asia-Pacific
• Based on sample type, water samples segment holds the 59.4% market share
• Based on testing methods, DFA stain segment holds the 46.3% market share
• Based on Applications segment holds the 32.1% market share
• Based on End-Use Industry, packaging segment holds the 28.5% market share

Facts & Figures

• Cases of Legionnaires' disease in the U.S. increased by 13% in 2022 relative to 2021, mainly due to increased awareness and improvements in testing facilities.
• ISO 11731 Culture Testing: This culture method for detecting the existence of Legionella takes around 7-10 days to be processed, which describes its relatively slow cycle relative to more advanced rapid techniques now on the rise.
• Waterborne Disease Outbreaks: Through 2023, greater than 40 percent of Legionella-positive U.S. reported waterborne outbreaks focused attention on cooling towers, hot tubs, and drinking water systems, yet testing in these systems is infrequent, often only when illness or death has been detected.
• Legionella Species in Legionnaires' Disease: L. pneumophila serogroup 1 accounts for 90 percent of all Legionnaires' disease cases of documented outbreaks.
• ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188 Updates: This standard was updated in July 2021 to include even more rigorous monitoring on Legionella within building water systems, adding to the demand for more frequent testing.

Key Developments

• In September, 2024, LuminUltra announced its acquisition of the legionella testing assets of Genomadix Inc. and rights to further develop and commercialize assays and testing methods across global markets, including water, energy, and food and beverage industries. This acquisition includes the use of the Genomadix Cube™ qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) Platform, enhancing LuminUltra's capability to deliver rapid, precise Legionella testing solutions across various

Legionella Water Testing Market Segmentation

By Sample Type: The water samples segment leads the market in the market. This is because water samples are the prime source for detecting the legionella bacteria, which thrive in water systems. As more stringent regulations require the routine testing of water samples, this is more prominent in riskier environments such as healthcare facilities, hotels, and cooling towers. The need to detect legionella in water systems promptly and effectively drives the requirement for water sample testing, making it the biggest segment in the market.

By Testing Methods: The DFA Stain segment remains the most dominant in the market, mainly due to the very high sensitivity and specificity in detecting Legionella bacteria. It was valued at US$ 50.4 Mn in 2019 and reached US$ 72.9 Mn in 2023. The DFA Stain segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% over the forecasted period.

Whereas, Microbial Culture is the second most widely used testing method, which was valued at US$ 37.0 Mn in 2019, reached US$ 53.4 Mn in 2023, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% over forecasted years. Microbial Culture is followed by the PCR segment, which has generated sales of US$ 29.1 Mn all over the market, and has reached US$ 40.1 Mn in 2023.

By Application: The cooling towers segment has the highest market share in the market. This is because of the high risk to cooling towers as they have the ideal medium for legionella bacteria survival, which is the warm water condition. These water towers exist in most manufacturing, healthcare and large residential complexes; hence it must have an adequate monitoring system to prevent outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease. This growing need for Legionella testing stems from rigorous regulatory requirements and safe standards designed to contain health risks tied to the potential aerosolization of water in which humans could be exposed to the bacteria. Some countries also have stringent requirements for testing for legionella in cooling towers, driving the need for regular, accurate testing solutions in this market segment.

By End-User Industry: The highest market share is captured by the healthcare institutions segment, as healthcare facilities such as hospitals and clinics are at a high risk wherein Legionella can multiply in water systems. Testing is important to rule out outbreaks and ensure patient safety. In that regard, rising prevalence of legionnaires' disease and strict regulatory requirements for water safety at healthcare settings drive demand for comprehensive Legionella testing in this segment.