Frequently Asked Questions

This can depend on a number of factors, such as the nature and scale of your organisation, the number of people within it and the types of water systems that you have. A risk assessment should be conducted regularly, with consistent monitoring undertaken in between. A change in the system, such as a new installation or repair, would certainly trigger the need for a new risk assessment. We can advise you on how often would be appropriate for your organisation.

Typically, Legionella testing involves a water safety professional collecting water samples from the water system in question. The samples are then taken to a lab to be analysed. The analysis will determine the presence or absence of Legionella bacteria in the water.

Legionella control is the process of managing the risk of Legionella and maintaining safe water systems. It covers the implementation of safety measures that prevent the growth and transmission of Legionella bacteria in water systems, helping to minimise the risk of Legionnaire’s disease.

The results of a Legionella test will provide information on the presence, or the absence, of Legionella bacteria in a water system. It may also include details on the levels of contamination.

All businesses and organisations need to take steps to control the risk of Legionella in their buildings and environments. It applies to any organisation that has some kind of water system, including toilets, washing facilities and dishwashing or laundry facilities. Because of the way Legionnaires’ disease is contracted via breathing in water vapour, premises with showers, spas/saunas, sprays and swimming pools are particularly at risk and need to monitor their systems carefully.

A Legionella risk assessment must be carried out by someone competent to do so. There are no specific qualifications required, however, you do need to understand exactly what you are looking for. That means a risk assessment needs to be carried out by someone with a strong understanding of water systems, who is able to identify whether the component parts of your system are likely to create a risk, and a number of other technical details.

If you don’t have such a person within your organisation, you will need to outsource the task to someone who does have the skills and knowledge. Our risk assessors are qualified and very experienced. Because this is all they do, they are very efficient and able to put effective systems in place which makes the monitoring process much simpler for you to administer.

Legionella risk assessments are crucial for identifying and assessing any of the risks associated with Legionella bacteria in a water system. Legionella risk assessments help keep businesses, staff, and customers safe, ensure a business is compliant with health and safety regulations and guidelines, and allow for the early identification of any potential risks.

Immediate action should be taken if your water is tested positive for Legionella. Having a trusted water safety partner who can guide you through the process is the best way forward.

Immediate actions include retesting, investigation, and remedial works like disinfection or chlorination. A further risk assessment can then determine the ways in which your water systems can be improved in order to increase safety in the future.

There are several preventative measures you can implement in order to minimise the risk of Legionella growth within your water system. These include:

• Regular Legionella risk assessments
• Regular cleaning and maintenance
• Temperature control

Health and safety laws within the UK mean that building managers and business owners are legally required to be mindful of the risk of Legionella in their properties and businesses. This means that while Legionella risk assessments aren’t technically a legal requirement, they are strongly required, as they offer the most effective way of managing the risk of Legionella.

You need to comply with the standards detailed in the Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) L8 and Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2010. The best way to do this is by conducting risk assessments, establishing a proper compliance maintenance system and undertaking necessary remedial work as and when required. An electronic compliance system such as Zeta Safe makes management much more efficient and easier to stay on top of.