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 Legionella Compliance team
Kelly
Customer Service Manager
Engineers
Water Hygiene Engineers
Tracy
Account Manager
Devon
Operations Director
Legionella Risk Assessment FAQs
When and how often do I need a risk assessment?
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 the risk of legionella. Legionnaires Disease is a form of pneumonia, which can be fatal and the main route of infection is through inhalation, by inhaling airborne water droplets that contain Legionella. This also applies if you are a private Landlord and have rental properties which are occupied.
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 risk assessment, actioning all identified risks within the initial report with remedial works, sampling the water quality to confirm bacterial presence with water testing, and carrying out ongoing record keeping also known as monitoring.
Do I need testing, a risk assessment or both?
Legionella testing, water testing or sampling is not to be confused with a legionella risk assessment. You are required by law to undertake a legionella risk assessment under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, COSHH and a number of other regulations where you can show you are working to comply with the HSE's HSG 274 legionella guidelines.Testing or sampling whilst not a legal requirement on it's own, it plays an important role in determining how efficient a water system is managed. Your risk assessment may identify that sampling is required due to existing risks or as a control and management precaution. In this instance sampling then becomes a requirement from your assessment. Without an L8 risk assessment you will not know where and how many samples are required. And without water testing/sampling you cannot determine how affective your control and management is. These two actions therefore should be undertaken together, not necessarily at the same time but unison to effectively management your risk from legionella.
Water testing services include Legionella, e-Coli, total viable count (TVC), Pseudomonas, hard water, chlorine free, pH levels and more. Learn more about legionella testing. We only use UKAS approved laboratories giving you peace of mind that the test will be of the highest quality possible.
How much does an L8 risk assessment cost?
All assessments vary in prices 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 produce your report.
So how much does it cost? Across the industry, prices vary enormously often depending on the size of the company you use and their processes, the speed of works and professionalism. There are two types of assessments, the first is commercial and the second domestic, also referred to as residential rental properties or landlord risk assessments.
Commercial risk assessments normally start from £250 to in excess of £750, however our prices start from £99 depending on the size of the water system and location.
Domestic risk assessments can range tremendously with a number of plumbers, gas engineers and other tradesmen offering these assessments without the specialist training, it’s important to check that your assessor or engineer is properly qualified. Our prices start from £55 for multiple landlord properties to £95 for single landlord properties. Our prices for residential rental properties are based on the property being no more than 5 bedrooms.
How long will the risk assessment take?
On average, the time our qualified assessor spends on site is 1 hour for every 10 outlets (sinks, showers, baths, etc). So an assessment can take anywhere between 30 minutes to 6 or 7 hours. It entirely depends on the size of your water system and the number of water assets you have such as cold water storage tanks, cylinders or combination boilers.
Our engineers will work closely with you to ensure minimal disruption to your business is caused. Clear and easy access to rooms and buildings will play a part in time spent on site at your premises.
When will I receive your findings?
You will receive your LRA report between 2-10 working days from the date the assessment was carried out. From time to time, not often, our team will need a little more time, so please expect to have your report no later than 30 days. Need your assessment sooner? Get your report, guaranteed next day delivery via email for just £50.
What happens after I receive the report?
Within your report document, you will have an action plan offering guidance which lists all identified risks, with photos, that need remedying in order of importance. By following our advice and undertaking remedial works you will reduce the risk of exposure to Legionnaires' disease. Once all the remedial works are complete, you will then need to focus on implementing your monitoring (periodical checks and maintenance) with a logbook for recording keeping all legal duties and monitoring requirements.
Are uRisk qualified?
Yes, all of our assessors are fully qualified and accredited by City & Guilds and can help assist you in meeting compliance today for HSE (ACoP L8). We are also Safe Contractor and Construction Online approved so you can rest assured that you are working with a trusted water hygiene service provider who put health and safety first.
All our engineers are DBS Checked to ensure suitable people are entering your premises and to safeguard vulnerable people. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards.
Do uRisk service my area?
Yes, our services are nationwide. Whether you have one or multiple water systems and one or multiple sites, we provide services across the country, with qualified engineers scattered throughout the UK and offices based in Hertfordshire which is a 30-minute train journey to London King’s Cross.
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.
