What is Legionella?
The legionella bacteria is found in natural environments including ponds, rivers and lakes. The legionella bacteria can also be supplied in small amounts within the mains water supply. Where there are water and the conditions of creating water droplets (aerosols), people using or within the area of these services may be at risk. It is this bacteria found in the water supply which is the cause of Legionnaires disease.
Where there is a potential for legionella risk, there is an absolute need to manage and mitigate this and according to the HSE “if you are an employer, or someone in control of premises, including landlords you need to be aware of the risks that legionella poses.”
Conditions and contributing factors to legionella bacteria growth include:
- Temperatures between 20-45°C
- Available nutrients (including sediment, biofilm, algae, scale, rust, material, etc.)
- Presence of biofilm on surfaces of water
- Poor or inadequate management including training and awareness
Get in touch today to book your legionella risk assessment and reduce the likelihood of spreading legionnaires disease and the legionella bacteria.
How do I meet Legionella Compliance?
Legionella Risk Assessment
The first step in meeting Legionella compliance is to undertake a legionella risk assessment that will identify the potential risks from Legionella posed by your water systems.
Legionella Remedial Works
Once these risks have been identified they should be removed, substituted or managed. This means undertaking any remedial works to reduce the risks identified.
Legionella Monitoring
Finally, you will need to control and manage the ongoing risk of Legionella exposure from your water system to employees and visitors by carrying out continued Legionella monitoring.
Legionella monitoring to meet HSE guidelines
Below is a full list of legionella monitoring services that you may need depending on your water system to meet HSE’s Legionella Compliance.
Weekly flushing
Six monthly expansion flushing
Annual cylinder inspection
Annual representative temperatures
Monthly temperatures
Annual review
Annual combi water heater inspection
Annual water softener/filter service
Quarterly de-scaling
Annual tank inspection
Annual TMV servicing
Annual water testing
Why do I need to do water monitoring?
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and in compliance with the Approved Code of Practice (ACoP L8, HSG 274), duty holders, including employers and those in control of premises, must ensure the health and safety of their employees or others who may be affected by their undertaking.
This includes taking suitable precautions to prevent, manage and control the risk of exposure to legionella. You can do this by undertaking the following: a legionella risk assessment, actioning all identified risks within the risk assessment with legionella remedial works, sampling the water quality to confirm bacterial presence with legionella testing, and carrying out ongoing record keeping also known as legionella monitoring or water monitoring.
Take our online legionella training course for a better understanding of the compliance needed.
When and how often do I need legionella monitoring?
Following a legionella risk assessment a water logbook should be produced to aid with your legionella monitoring and record keeping. Each water system is different and therefore will require a bespoke water monitoring plan. Typically tasks should be undertaken weekly, monthly, quarterly, six monthly and annually.
How much does water monitoring cost?
Water monitoring prices vary depending on the number of water outlets, cold water storage tanks, hot water cylinders, combi boilers and other water assets that may be present. The number of assets within your water system will determine the time spent on site and how long it will take to carry out all legionella monitoring tasks.
So how much does a water monitoring cost? Across the industry prices vary enormously often depending on the size of the company you use and their processes, speed of works and professionalism.
uRisk carries out price comparison and reviews regularly to ensure our prices are kept competitive and with the customer in mind.
How long does a water monitoring visit take?
Depending on the type of water monitoring visit it is and the size of the water system will determine how long a water hygiene engineer is on site for. For monthly temperature monitoring you can expect the engineer to be on site for a period of 30-60 minutes on average. However, if the tasks are quarterly de-scaling you might expect the engineer to be present for 1-4 hours.
Other tasks such as TMV servicing and inspections can take considerably longer due to the nature of the works.
How long are water monitoring contracts?
Legionella monitoring contracts at uRisk range from 2 to 5 years. In special circumstances we offer 12-month contracts, but the longer the contract the better price we can offer you.
What if I choose not to do legionella monitoring?
It is your legal responsibility under HSE ACOP L8 (HSG 274) to ensure the safety of those at your place of work or property. Should you choose not to undertake water monitoring, you run the risk of allowing harmful bacteria to grow within your water system which may lead to illness and prosecution.
Service process
Get a Quote
To get a quote you can phone, email or complete our ‘Get a Quote!’ form to receive a quotation within 24 hours.
Book an Appointment
Once you’re happy with your quote we’ll confirm a suitable date and estimated time of arrival for your appointment.
Your Appointment
An engineer will be with you on your scheduled date, and will call you prior to arrival (when safe and possible).
Report & Support
Our team will quality assess your report for PDF distribution, typically within 2-10 days of the site visit.
All payments are due prior to booking completion unless agreed in writing for 30 days from the date of invoice. We will hold your booking time for 24 hours whilst we wait for payment.
Your dedicated water hygiene team
Callum
Customer Service Executive
Engineers
Water Hygiene Engineers
Stephen
Support Executive
Luke V
Business Manager
Legionella Testing Cambridgeshire FAQs
Why choose uRisk?
25 Years Experience
Over 25 years of water hygiene and legionella control experience.
Customer Service Excellence
Friendly and simple advice by phone, email & online at your convenience.
City & Guilds Qualified
All staff are trained water hygiene consultants and engineers.
Nationwide Coverage
With engineers located all across the UK, we’re never too far away.
UKAS Accredited Testing
Our labs are UKAS approved providing you with quality assurance.
Full Compliance Services
Your one stop shop for legionella control, no need to go elsewhere.
