Case Study: Pink Bacterial Growth in Ice Machine at Gold Coast Hotel
Industry: Hospitality | Location: Gold Coast, QLD | Client Type: 4-Star Hotel
Service: Preventative Maintenance & Hygiene Compliance
🔍 The Problem
A prominent 4-star hotel on the Gold Coast contacted Acro Refrigeration after ongoing service delays and hygiene issues with their previous contractor. Shortly after we took over the contract, our technician discovered visible pink bacterial growth inside the hotel’s main ice machine, located in a high-use bar area.
The pink film, found on internal plastic components and around the water distribution system, was identified as Serratia marcescens — a bacteria that thrives in moist, dark, and poorly maintained environments.
Left unchecked, this contamination could have:
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Compromised food safety
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Triggered health inspection warnings
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Damaged the hotel’s brand and guest experience
🔧 Our Response
Acro Refrigeration immediately scheduled a deep internal clean and sanitisation of the affected ice machine, followed by:
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Disassembly and cleaning of internal components
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Biocide-safe treatment of water lines and surfaces
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Drainage and airflow inspection to eliminate root causes
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Seal inspection and replacement of worn components
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Implementation of a preventative maintenance schedule
Our technician also documented the contamination with photos and provided the client with a compliance-ready hygiene report for their internal risk management file.
✅ The Result
Within 4 hours, the ice machine was:
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Fully sanitised and back in operation
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Free of bacterial residue or visual contaminants
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Enrolled in Acro’s PMA program for ongoing protection
The hotel’s maintenance manager praised the fast response, clear reporting, and professionalism — noting that this issue had been overlooked for months by the previous provider.
🧠 Key Takeaways
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Pink mould (Serratia) is a sign of system neglect — not just a cosmetic issue
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Ice is classified as food — and must meet hygiene compliance standards
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Regular servicing is essential, especially in high-humidity coastal venues
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Acro’s PMA approach prevents risk before it impacts operations or reputation
📞 Is Your Ice Machine Clean — Or Just Cold?
If you operate a hotel, café, or venue with high ice demand, don’t wait until guests notice something’s off. Acro Refrigeration provides proactive hygiene maintenance across SE QLD to keep your venue safe, clean, and compliant.
👉 Contact us today for a free inspection or to schedule a PMA quote.
📞 Call us today at 1300 227 600
📧 Email: workshop@acrorefrigeration.com.au
🌐 Visit: www.acrorefrigeration.com.au
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