How do you choose between so many water treatment companies on the market? This blog will equip you with everything you need to choose the right supplier.
In our previous blog post, we took a look at why the hospitality sector is often at an increased risk of legionella. The key takeaways were that complex pipework, high-risk water features such as spas, pools and fountains, and a high guest turnover can all contribute to the likelihood of infection. In fact, it wasn’t so long ago that a UK-based hotel faced charges due to an outbreak within its leisure facilities.
What are their experience and accreditations?
When it comes to something as serious as legionella, you need people who know exactly what they’re doing. They should have a wide-breadth of knowledge and experience in how legionella grows, where it grows, and the techniques to control it - specifically in a hotel setting.
As well as being backed by experience, a capable water treatment company will normally be a member of the Legionella Control Association (LCA). This demonstrates adherence to the LCA Code of Conduct for effective and high-quality legionella control and prevention.
Whilst being a member is not legally required, it is a very good indicator of a company’s competence, and any reputable water treatment provider will be a part of it. You should therefore ask a potential supplier to provide you with a copy of its Certificate of Registration, as well as any supporting evidence of its service delivery standards.
What do their services include?
The first part of a control plan usually involves a legionella risk assessment. This measures the likelihood of legionella being present on your hotel premises, and determines whether or not remedial action is necessary. Following this, you should find out what kind of legionella control services your prospective company offers.
The complexity of a hotel water system could mean that regular inspections and maintenance are required. This is especially true off-season, when parts of the hotel are out of use - leading to a higher risk of legionella due to water stagnation. Your water treatment company should be well aware of these fluctuations and provide you with a detailed, unbiased plan of action.
Will they cover all of your hotels?
If you hotels are spread out over a region or across the country, a big factor in your choice of water treatment provider will be whether the company will extend its services to your entire chain. This will be down to the size of the company and if they have the resources available in your region or regions to carry out the work. There’s a lot to be said for working with a single supplier in this regard – you’ll receive a uniform service with a chance to build up a good relationship, and you won’t have to switch between several different companies.
How are they organised?
The need for discretion within a hotel is imperative. The last thing you want is a noisy overhaul of your water system and a prolonged disruption to the water supply while guests are present. You should look for a specialist that can operate discreetly and professionally.
Furthermore, a part of the HSE’s requirements is that you maintain up-to-date information on all legionella risk assessments and control work carried out on your premises. You should look for a service similar to the one Brodex provides – an online portal where you can log in to see all your records of this work. For a hotel chain, a single, central repository of records that you can access anywhere can be a great advantage.
There’s a lot to consider when you’re choosing the best treatment service for your hotel chain. The more knowledge you have, the easier the decision will be. You should take the time to understand the legionella risks that are present in your facility. Download our guide to learn more.
