Legionella Control Management: How to Keep Your Water Systems Safe and Compliant

Why is Legionella control management important?

Managing water safety is an essential responsibility for businesses, landlords, facilities managers and organisations responsible for commercial premises. Without appropriate monitoring and maintenance, water systems can create conditions that allow Legionella bacteria to grow and spread.

Legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially serious form of pneumonia contracted by inhaling contaminated water droplets. Buildings with complex water systems, infrequently used outlets or poorly maintained equipment may require particular attention.

Effective Legionella control management helps organisations identify potential hazards, implement appropriate control measures and maintain a safe environment for employees, customers, residents and visitors.

But what does effective Legionella management involve, and how can you ensure your organisation is meeting its responsibilities?

What is Legionella control management?

Legionella control management is the ongoing process of assessing, monitoring and controlling the risk of Legionella bacteria within water systems.

In the UK, employers and those responsible for premises must assess the risks associated with Legionella and take appropriate steps to prevent or control exposure. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidance through its Approved Code of Practice L8 and supporting technical guidance, HSG274.

A suitable approach will depend on the type of premises, the water systems present and the findings of the risk assessment. For many organisations, this involves a combination of documented procedures, routine monitoring, maintenance and periodic reviews.

Importantly, Legionella compliance is not simply about having a risk assessment on file. The control measures identified in that assessment must be implemented, monitored and reviewed as necessary.

What does a Legionella control regime involve?

A Legionella control regime sets out the measures required to manage the risks identified within a water system. The exact requirements will vary depending on the system and its risk assessment.

Common control activities include:

1. Water temperature monitoring

Monitoring hot and cold water temperatures can help identify whether systems are operating within the parameters specified by the risk assessment and relevant guidance.

Where temperatures fall outside the expected range, further investigation and corrective action may be required.

2. Flushing infrequently used outlets

Water that remains stagnant in infrequently used outlets can create conditions favourable to bacterial growth.

A suitable flushing programme can help manage this risk. Organisations should identify little-used outlets, establish an appropriate schedule and maintain records of completed tasks.

3. Shower cleaning and descaling

Showerheads and associated fittings can accumulate scale and deposits. Regular cleaning and descaling, at a frequency determined by the risk assessment, can form part of an effective water hygiene programme.

4. Cold water storage tank inspections

Cold water storage tanks should be inspected at appropriate intervals to assess their condition, cleanliness and protection against contamination.

Where defects or signs of deterioration are identified, remedial work may be necessary to help maintain water quality and system integrity.

5. Calorifier inspections and maintenance

Where calorifiers are present, appropriate inspection and maintenance help ensure the system is operating as intended and that potential risks are managed.

6. Thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) servicing

TMVs help control water temperature at outlets to reduce the risk of scalding. However, they also require suitable maintenance as part of the wider water hygiene management programme.

Servicing may include inspecting, cleaning and descaling relevant components in line with the equipment requirements and risk assessment.

7. Water sampling and additional control measures

Depending on the circumstances, water sampling, system disinfection and further investigation may be appropriate.

Sampling is not a substitute for effective ongoing management. It should be used where appropriate as part of a wider control strategy.

Who is responsible for Legionella compliance?

Responsibility generally rests with the employer or the person in control of the premises, depending on the circumstances and applicable duties. This may include business owners, landlords, property managers and facilities management teams.

Under relevant health and safety legislation, dutyholders must take appropriate steps to assess and control Legionella risks.

Depending on the size and complexity of the water systems, a competent person should be appointed to oversee the control arrangements. This is commonly referred to as the responsible person.

Their duties may include ensuring that:

• A suitable and sufficient Legionella risk assessment is in place.
• Appropriate control measures are implemented.
• Monitoring and maintenance activities are completed at the required frequency.
• Records are maintained and available when needed.
• Identified defects and non-conformances are investigated and addressed.
• Control arrangements are reviewed when circumstances change or when there is reason to believe they may no longer be effective.

Although specialist contractors can support these activities, appointing a contractor does not automatically remove the dutyholder’s responsibilities.

What are the risks of poor Legionella management?

Failing to manage Legionella risks effectively can have serious consequences for both people and organisations.

Potential consequences include:

Health risks: Exposure to Legionella bacteria can result in Legionnaires’ disease, which can be particularly serious for vulnerable individuals.

Compliance issues: Inadequate risk assessments, missing records or failure to implement suitable controls can leave organisations unable to demonstrate that appropriate precautions are in place.

Financial costs: Poorly managed water systems may require urgent investigations, remedial work, cleaning or disinfection.

Operational disruption: Water system issues can affect the operation of buildings and may lead to areas being taken out of use.

Reputational damage: Water safety failures can undermine confidence among employees, customers, residents and other stakeholders.

Taking a proactive approach can help organisations identify potential problems before they develop into more serious issues.

How often should Legionella control measures be carried out?

There is no single schedule that applies to every building or water system.

The appropriate frequency of monitoring, inspection and maintenance should be determined by the risk assessment, the nature of the system, relevant guidance and the effectiveness of existing control measures.

For example, some systems may require routine temperature checks, while other activities, such as tank inspections or showerhead cleaning, may be carried out at different intervals.

Organisations should avoid relying on generic schedules without considering the specific requirements of their premises. Where a control measure is identified as necessary, it should be completed at the appropriate frequency and recorded.

Control arrangements should also be reviewed following relevant changes, such as alterations to the water system, changes in building use or extended periods of low occupancy.

How Absolute Water Compliance can help

Managing Legionella risks requires a consistent approach, clear records and an understanding of the requirements of your water systems.

Absolute Water Compliance supports businesses and organisations across the UK with Legionella risk assessments, ongoing control regimes and water hygiene services.

Its services can include routine temperature monitoring, flushing of little-used outlets, shower cleaning and descaling, cold water storage tank inspections and other activities identified by the risk assessment.

With more than 20 years of experience and City & Guilds-qualified engineers, Absolute Water Compliance helps organisations understand their responsibilities, address non-conformances and put appropriate control measures in place.

Whether you need support with an existing control programme or want to establish a suitable regime following a risk assessment, professional guidance can help you manage your water safety responsibilities more effectively.

Find out more about Absolute Water Compliance’s Legionella Control Regime service.

Take a proactive approach to Legionella control

Effective Legionella control management is an ongoing responsibility, not a one-off task. By maintaining a suitable risk assessment, implementing appropriate control measures and keeping accurate records, organisations can help protect building occupants and demonstrate that water safety is being managed appropriately.

If you are unsure whether your current arrangements are sufficient, reviewing your risk assessment and control regime is a sensible first step.