Recent heavy rainfall across the UK has given us a reality check – we’re heading into winter after an unusually mild autumn.  Storms such as “Abigail”, the first to be named by the Met Office, have caused severe disruption and led to localised flooding.

With so much water around us, it’s a good time to reflect on the importance of drinking water quality. We can be forgiven for how we sometimes take the safety and quality of our water for granted. However, although diseases such as Legionella are typically more common in the summer months, our increasingly mild winters mean that we should remain vigilant all year round.

As it gets colder, it may be tempting for people like letting agents or landlords to be reluctant to check more remote or older properties, exposing tenants to a risk of Legionella. Conducting Legionella risk assessments is a legal requirement, whatever the time of year, in order to avoid people becoming ill through contaminated water.

So what can and should be done to ensure water quality?

Legionella Risk Assessment

A thorough Legionella risk assessment should be undertaken to prevent and control any risk of Legionella in your water system. This will include a documented Legionella risk assessment overview including pipework schematics and photographic evidence, a report of any significant finding of the Legionella risk assessment, water tank surveys and testing of hot and cold water at key points throughout the building.

Water Sampling

It is recommended that water samples are taken and analysed to find out the condition of the water in the system. This is particularly important for high risk water sources, such as stagnant water. The process of water testing requires adhering to a series of strict procedures.

Water Hygiene

Water hygiene services such as tank inspection and chlorination are effective ammunition in the battle for water quality. Water tanks are often the prime breeding ground for bacteria such as Legionella. Regular storage tank inspections and water chlorination is effective at removing these bacteria and viruses.

Water Temperature Monitoring

It’s important to monitor the temperature at hot and cold water outlets, adhering to strict timing methods (59 seconds for hot water and 119 seconds for cold), as well as measuring the temperature in hot water calorifiers.

Water treatment services are vital for ensuring water quality. We provide these services to a  wide range of sectors including healthcare, hospitality, social care, public and government buildings, manufacturing and industry, education, property and retail.