Water Hygiene

Legionella is a type of bacteria can cause a lung infection called Legionnaires’ disease. You can get Legionnaires' disease by breathing in small droplets of water from sources contaminated with the bacteria.

Everyone can become ill from this disease, but some people are at a higher risk.

Those at higher risk

• Those over 45 years old.
• Heavy Smokers.
• Heavy Drinkers.
• People with existing respiratory disease.
• People with kidney disease.
• People with a compromised immune system.

How Do People Catch It?

• Infection occurs by breathing in water droplets containing the bacteria.
• It is not contagious, and you cannot get it from drinking water.

Symptoms to Look For:

• High temperature or fever.
• Chills and dry cough.
• Muscle aches, headaches.
• Fatigue.

See your GP immediately if you suspect you may have Legionnaires’ disease. It is treatable with antibiotics.

Our shared water systems in communal areas are a risk for Legionella; therefore, regular monitoring takes place internally and externally.

Internally

Our staff complete weekly flushing at communal outlets (flushing is the running of water to clear the pipe so there is no standing water for long periods of time). This is completed in any communal bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens. All staff that complete this flushing have received external Legionella specific training.

Externally
Our appointed contractor completes the following:

• Temperature checks to all communal outlets.
• Shower head clean and descale.
• Tank inspection.
• Calorifier inspection.
• Chemical disinfection.
• TMV (Thermostatic Mixing Valve) checks.

All hot and cold water systems in properties are a potential source for Legionella to grow.

Legionella develops and grows when water temperatures are between 20°C and 45°C and the water is stagnated as this gives the bacteria what it needs to grow.

What can you do to keep safe?

• Ensure the hot water is running hot.
• Ensure the cold water is running cold.
• Keep your shower heads and taps clean and descale as required.
• Keep water moving – if you go on holiday and it has been left unused for a week or more then run the taps to clear the system of any potential stagnated water.
• If you have outlets you do not use every week then run these weekly, e.g. outside taps and hoses.
  It is recommended ensure hoses are empty and stored out of direct sunlight.
• If you use a water butt, store out of direct sunlight, empty and clean these annually. Avoid using this water in sprinkler or misting systems.
• Spas/hot tubs, maintain following the manufactures instructions to ensure the water is safe.

If you are concerned the hot water is not reaching 50℃ at the tap in the home please report to us by following the instructions on our reporting a repair page.