Water Hygiene Management

Legionella is a bacterium that causes Legionellosis or Legionnaires’ Disease. The growth of these bacteria in building water systems is a common cause of potentially fatal Legionnaires’ Disease. The Government’s Approved Code of Practice & Guidance on Legionnaires’ Disease (L8) which came into effect on 8th January 2001, states that a reasonably foreseeable risk of exposure to the Legionella bacteria exists in hot and cold water systems, water systems incorporating a cooling tower or an evaporative condenser & other plant and systems containing water which is likely to exceed 20ºC and which may release a spray or aerosol during operation or when being maintained

Where these water systems exist in a building, there is a legal responsibility by the building manager to put in place a suitable scheme for controlling Legionella. Does your water system meet the requirements?