The summer holidays are a useful time for schools, colleges and education settings to review their water hygiene arrangements. 

During periods of reduced use, parts of a school water system may become stagnant. Outlets may be used less frequently, flushing routines may be harder to maintain, and existing issues such as poor temperatures, sediment, scale, dead legs or poorly maintained tanks may become more significant. 

Planning gives schools time to review their Legionella risk assessment, arrange any required checks, complete remedial works and prepare for safe reopening after the holiday period.

What should schools do with water systems before the summer holidays?

Before the summer holidays, schools should review their Legionella risk assessment, confirm flushing arrangements for little-used outlets, check hot and cold water temperatures, inspect cold water storage tanks, review outstanding remedial actions and plan reopening checks before pupils and staff return.

These steps help reduce the risk of stagnation, poor temperature control and water quality issues during periods of reduced use. 

Why can school water systems become higher risk during summer closure?

Legionella bacteria can grow in purpose-built water systems where conditions allow. The level of risk depends on factors such as water temperature, stagnation, poor turnover, scale, sediment, system condition and how well the water system is managed. 

In schools, water use can change significantly during the summer holidays. Some areas may still be used by staff, contractors, holiday clubs or maintenance teams, while other parts of the building may have little or no use for several weeks.

This can affect:

• classrooms
• toilet blocks
• changing rooms
• showers
• sports facilities
• kitchens
• science rooms
• staff areas
• cleaners' cupboards
• temporary buildings
• plant rooms
• cold water storage tanks
• calorifiers and hot water systems

Where parts of the system are used less frequently, water may remain static in pipework for longer periods. If this is combined with poor temperature control, scale, sediment or inadequate monitoring, the risk can increase.

Which school water systems and outlets need attention?

Schools have a wide range of water systems and outlets, so it is important to look beyond the most obvious areas.

Before summer closure, schools should consider whether the following have been reviewed:

This review should be based on the school's Legionella risk assessment and written scheme of control.

How should schools manage little-used outlets during the holidays?

Little-used outlets are one of the most common water hygiene issues during school holiday periods. During term time, many taps, showers and other outlets are used regularly. During the summer holidays, that pattern can change, and some areas may have little or no use for several weeks.

Little-used outlets may include:

• taps in rarely used classrooms
• showers in changing rooms
• disabled toilets
• cleaner's sinks
• staff toilets in less-occupied areas
• outlets in temporary buildings
• outlets in rooms used only for exams, storage or occasional activities

Where outlets are not used regularly, water can remain within pipework for longer periods. This can increase the risk of stagnation, particularly where there are also issues such as poor temperature control, scale, sediment or dead legs.

Before the summer break, schools should identify which outlets are likely to become little-used and decide how they will be managed during the closure period. 

For some schools, this may include a planned flushing regime. Before the holiday period begins, schools should confirm:

• which outlets need to be flushed
• how often flushing is required
• who is responsible for completing it
• how flushing will be recorded
• whether all areas will remain accessible
  
• what should happen if outlets cannot be flushed
• whether any redundant outlets should be removed
• whether any areas should be isolated where appropriate

If a suitable flushing regime cannot be maintained during the closure period, the school should consider alternative control measures. Depending on the level of risk, the condition of the system and the length of reduced use, this may include cleaning and disinfection before the building reopens.

Records are important. Schools should be able to demonstrate how little-used outlets have been managed during the period of reduced use, including any flushing, cleaning, disinfection or reopening checks completed.

Why should cold water storage tanks be checked before summer?

Cold water storage tanks should be reviewed before summer because warmer weather can make temperature control more challenging. 

A cold water storage tank should be suitable for the system it serves, protected from contamination, clean and operating correctly. Issues such as sediment, biofilm, missing or damaged lids, poor insulation, incorrectly screened overflows or poor turnover can affect water quality and increase risk.

Before the summer closure, schools should consider whether tanks have been inspected and whether any issues have been identified, such as:

• sediment or debris
• slime or biofilm
• poorly fitting lids
• missing insect screens
• damaged insulation
• water temperatures above recommended levels
• poor turnover
• redundant tanks
• evidence of stagnation
• corroded or deteriorating tank condition

Where a tank supplies potable outlets, its condition should be suitable for that use. If a tank has significant sediment, contamination, poor turnover or poor physical condition, it may require cleaning, disinfection, remedial works or further review.

For more information, check out our blog: Cold Water Storage Tanks: Repair, Replace, or Remove?

What water hygiene checks should be completed before school closure?

Before the main closure period begins, schools should review whether routine water hygiene control measures are still being completed and recorded.

This may include checking:

• the Legionella risk assessment is current and reflects the site as it is now
• the written scheme of control is in place and being followed
• norminated responsible persons understand their duties
• flushing arrangements are documented and practical during closure
• little-used outlets have been identified
• hot and cold water temperatures are being monitored
• cold water storage tanks have been inspected
• required remedial actions are being tracked
• TMVs are being serviced where required
• showerheads and hoses are being cleaned and descaled
• records are up to date and available

Cold water should be maintained below 20 °C where possible. Hot water should be stored at 60 °C or above and distributed so that it reaches 50 °C within one minute at outlets.

These checks help schools confirm whether water hygiene control measures remain suitable before occupancy reduces.

How can summer building works affect Legionella control?

The summer holidays are often used for planned works, refurbishments and maintenance projects.

These works can affect water systems, especially if they involve:

• classroom refurbishments
• toilet block upgrades
• kitchen works
• science room changes
  
• changing room works
• temporary shutdowns
• pipework alterations
• tank works
• boiler or calorifier works
• new buildings or extensions
• changes to occupancy or room use

Any changes to the water system should be considered from a Legionella risk management perspective.

For example, if an outlet is removed but pipework is left in place, this may create a dead end. If a room is refurbished but outlets are not commissioned or used regularly, they may become little-used. If a tank continues to serve only a small part of the building, turnover may become poor. 

Where building works are planned, schools should make sure water hygiene considerations are included before, during and after the project. 

Why should schools review outstanding remedial actions before summer?

The summer closure can be a useful opportunity to complete remedial actions identified during a Legionella risk assessment, monitoring visit or tank inspection.

These may include:

• removing dead legs or redundant pipework
• cleaning and disinfecting tanks
• repairing or replacing cold water storage tanks
• improving tank insulation
• fitting missing screens to overflows or vents
• servicing TMVs
• replacing damaged shower hoses or heads
• addressing poor hot water temperatures
• investigating high cold water temperatures
• improving access to assets
• updating schematic drawings
• improving record keeping

Schools should review their current action log before the summer break and decide which actions can realistically be completed during closure.

This is especially useful where works may be disruptive during term time.

Legionella Risk Assessment: What it is, Who Needs One, and Legal Duties Explained

Do schools need a Legionella risk assessment before the summer holidays?

Schools do not necessarily need a new Legionella risk assessment simply because it is summer. However, they should have a suitable and sufficient Legionella risk assessment in place.

A review may be needed if:

• the current assessment is out of date
• there have been changes to the water system
• parts of the building have changed use
• new outlets, tanks or plant have been added
• previous recommendations have not been completed
• monitoring results suggest poor control
• there has been a change in responsible person
• the existing report does not reflect the site accurately

For schools, the risk assessment should give a clear picture of the water system, the risks present and the control measures needed.

If the assessment is unclear, incomplete or no longer reflects the site, the summer planning period may be a suitable time to arrange a review.

Not sure whether your current Legionella risk assessment is valid? Contact our team to discuss your requirements.

What should schools check before reopening after summer?

Water hygiene planning should also consider what happens before pupils and staff return.

Before reopening, schools may need to review:

• whether flushing has been completed and recorded
• whether hot and cold water temperatures are within expected ranges
• whether showers and little-used outlets have been managed
• whether showerheads and hoses need cleaning or descaling
• whether any tanks require inspection
• whether remedial works have been completed and documented
• whether any areas were isolated during the closure
• whether contractors made changes to the water system
• whether cleaning and disinfection is required before reopening
• whether additional sampling is required based on risk

The aim is to avoid discovering issues only when the school is fully occupied again.

Where there has been a prolonged period of reduced use, poor control, missed flushing or changes to the system, additional checks may be required before normal use resumes.

Check out our blog: Back to School, Back to Compliance

School summer water hygiene checklist

Before the summer holidays, schools should consider the following checklist.

1. Review your Legionella risk assessment

Check whether it still reflects the site, water systems and current use of the building

2. Confirm your written scheme is being followed

Make sure responsibilities, monitoring, flushing and record keeping are clear.

3. Identify little-used outlets

Pay particular attention to showers, rarely used classrooms, disabled toilets, staff areas and temporary buildings.

4. Plan how reduced use will be managed

Confirm which outlets need to be managed, who is responsible, what records are needed and what should happen if flushing cannot be maintained.

5. Check tank condition

Review whether cold water storage tanks have been inspected and whether cleaning, disinfection or remedial works are required. 

6. Review temperatures

Check whether hot and cold water temperatures are being achieved and recorded.

7. Complete planned remedials

Use the closure period to complete works that may be harder to arrange during term time.

8. Review summer building works

Make sure any refurbishment, pipework alteration or change of use has been considered from a water hygiene perspective.

9. Prepare for reopening

Plan checks before the building returns to normal occupancy, including whether cleaning, disinfection or sampling may be required based on risk.

How BrodexTrident can help schools prepare for summer closure

BrodexTrident supports schools, colleges and education settings with practical water hygiene and Legionella control services.

This can include:

• Legionella risk assessments
• water hygiene monitoring
• Cold water storage tank inspections
• tank cleaning and system disinfection
• remedial works
• microbiological and Legionella sampling
• TMV servicing
• support with records and control schemes

If your school is preparing for the summer holidays, the time leading up to it is a useful time to review your water hygiene arrangements and schedule any required checks or remedial works before the main closure period.

Preparing your school site for the summer holidays? Contact BrodexTrident to discuss Legionella risk assessments, water hygiene monitoring, tank inspections, tank cleaning and disinfection, TMV servicing and remedial support.