Legionella treatment is an essential part of any water management strategy. The bacteria is the causative agent of the human Legionnaire’s disease, a form of pneumonia which can be fatal. The disease is contracted by inhaling droplets of water (aerosols) suspended in the air which contains Legionella bacterium. This bacteria can be found in a number of sources including water tanks and cooling towers and similar systems which are connected to a public air supply.
Under health and safety law, employers or individuals in charge of premises are responsible for carrying out regular Legionella risk assessments in order to identify any risk areas that may have the potential to develop growth of Legionella bacterium.
Legionella can affect any organisation in any sector, from small independent hotels to large factories. It is essential to make sure that your water system and assets contained within it is risk assessed in order to control and minimise Legionella outbreaks. Here we have provided you with a checklist for everything you need to know about Legionella treatment and risk assessments.
Make sure you have the nominated authorities
It is important to document who the nominated authorities are and who is responsible for the site and control of the premises. Risk assessments are only to be carried out by someone who is competent. Brodex UK are water treatment specialists with expert knowledge of water and equipment systems and can offer training to staff when it comes to checking your water system.
Document a Legionella Risk Assessment overview
As part of the Legionella risk assessment for your water system you should document an assessment overview. This documentation is legally binding and should include a full schematic diagram and plan of the water flow and pipework throughout the site and premises with photographic evidence and identification of cold water tanks, calorifiers, thermostatic mixing valves and hot and cold water systems, all of which will require surveys.
Identify areas of risk
Certain conditions increase the risk of Legionella so it is important to identify these. Areas include anywhere where water is stored in a system as it is crucial that cold water be stored below 20 degrees and hot water be stored above 45 degrees, anywhere in a system where water is recirculated, thermostatic mixing valves, dead ends such as infrequently or unused showers and dead legs, which is where services have been removed but pipe work has been left in place or capped off as these can harbour stagnant water.
Carry out testing and sampling of the water system
Risk assessments will involve undertaking a series of tasks to monitor the state of a water system. These tasks will include checks such as measuring the temperature of any stored water to ensure it is not between 20 and 50 (20 and 55 at healthcare sites) degrees, water tank surveys to check for evidence of corrosion or scale formation, water flow and stagnation tests and testing of hot and cold water at key points throughout buildings. Once testing and sampling is complete, carry out any necessary actions to treat and control water systems.
Report any significant findings in the test
When carrying out a Legionella risk assessment, it is essential to present any results in a report of the condition of your water system. This report must indicate any risks to health where relevant and also identify and note any Legionella treatment or remedial action which needs to be taken to fix these risks.
Make a plan for further Legionella Risk Assessments
Carrying out a risk assessment on your site once does not mean that your water system will be permanently protected. Risk assessments must be carried out and reviewed regularly to ensure future legal compliance. The frequency of carrying out Legionella Risk Assessments depends on how your site is categorised in terms of risk level. It is important to prepare a basic water management scheme for preventing and controlling the risk of Legionella and take all the necessary actions to maintain the current records.
