Candida auris in hospital water systems: How healthcare facilities can strengthen water safety?

Healthcare facilities across Europe are reporting rising cases of Candida auris (C. auris), a multidrug-resistant fungus that can persist for weeks on hospital surfaces and equipment.

With a size of 2.0-5.0 µm and high resistance to disinfectants, C. auris can enter plumbing networks, survive in biofilms, and spread through showers, faucets, and ice machines.

For healthcare engineers, facility managers, and water safety consultants, this is more than a microbiological concern; Candida auris in hospital water systems is a water safety and compliance challenge. 

Preventing fungal and bacterial transmission now requires certified point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) filtration that prevents pathogens at the outlet.

How does Candida auris in hospital water systems spread?

Hospital plumbing systems provide ideal conditions for biofilm formation, a protective microbial layer where bacteria and fungi attach to pipe walls.

Once biofilms form, they shield pathogens like C. auris from chemical disinfectants, making them challenging to eliminate through flushing or chlorination.

Even when incoming municipal water meets standards, contamination can occur within the building’s distribution system, especially in high-use or stagnant outlets.

High-risk outlets include:

• Showers: Aerosolized droplets can transmit pathogens to patients and staff.

• Faucets: Used for wound care, handwashing, and surgical preparation.

• Ice machines & beverage dispensers: Pose ingestion and cross-contamination risks.

• Unfiltered entry points: Allow facility-wide microbial spread.

To maintain healthcare water safety, facilities must combine ultrafiltration with certified compliance practices (NSF, ASSE, ASTM).

How do certified filtration systems for hospitals prevent fungal and bacterial contamination?

Standard disinfection methods cannot easily remove embedded fungi, like C. auris. In contrast, ultrafiltration membranes physically prevent microorganisms, creating a barrier of protection between the plumbing system and points of use.

MWT filters with 0.08 µm pore size prevent microorganisms smaller than C. auris, achieving Log 8 (99.999999%) reduction in bacteria and fungi.

By installing point-of-use (POU) filters for infection control on showers and faucets, and point-of-entry (POE) systems at the building supply, facilities can ensure that every outlet delivers safe water, reducing infection risk and maintenance costs.

How does ultrafiltration in hospitals work to protect water systems?

Ultrafiltration uses a fine membrane barrier that physically separates microorganisms from water. At 0.08 µm, it effectively prevents bacteria, fungi, and biofilm fragments, delivering safe water directly at the point of use.

How does it protect?

• Physical retention: Prevents microorganisms smaller than 0.1 µm.

• Biofilm control: Reduces buildup in downstream plumbing.

• Consistent flow: Maintains high performance even in variable conditions.

• Chemical-free operation: No need for continuous biocide dosing.

This makes ultrafiltration one of the most sustainable and reliable infection prevention technologies for healthcare facilities.

Mentor Water’s certified filtration solutions for healthcare

Mentor Water Technologies provides certified ultrafiltration systems engineered specifically for healthcare environments, ensuring safety at every outlet and system level.

• Showers: PurGuard360® handheld system for high-risk areas such as oncology wards, burn centers, and long-term care units; prevents aerosolized pathogen spread.

• Faucets: TapTech Pro® filters for patient rooms, surgical preparation areas, food service, and hygiene-critical outlets, ensuring safe water for handwashing and hygiene.

• Inline & POE protection: Inline PureFlow®, AquaGuard Pro®, and TotalPure® systems protect ice machines, beverage lines, laboratories, and entire building networks.

Every Mentor Water solution is produced in an EPA FIFRA-registered establishment (EPA Est. No. 105402-NLD-1) and is certified to NSF P376, ASSE 2011–2022, ASTM F838-2020, and EPA WaterSense®.

They are also CE marked and compliant with the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184) and EN-16421 standards, delivering tested, certified protection where it matters most.

Prevent hospital waterborne outbreaks with certified ultrafiltration systems

The rise of Candida auris is a reminder that proactive prevention is essential. Chemical disinfection alone cannot guarantee patient safety; certified ultrafiltration systems are now the new standard for infection prevention in healthcare water management.

By combining Mentor Water’s EPA, NSF, and EU-certified filtration technologies with consistent monitoring, healthcare facilities can reduce risk, ensure compliance, and protect patients, staff, and reputations.

Learn more about Mentor Water Technologies’ healthcare filtration systems or contact our technical team for guidance on implementing certified water safety solutions.