Design
How can Legionella Test Kits help monitor the effectiveness of the design and maintenance of water systems? Water distribution design, when done correctly, can minimise several problems. These include reducing the risk for water contamination by Legionella bacteria and other contaminants which can compromise water quality. Along with maintenance and the use of Showerhead Cleaner and water quality testing kits, proper pipe design can minimise the woes associated with running commercial, residential and even health care facilities.
Use AquaCert to test your water for Legionella bacteria
If you are using vented cold and hot water systems in your building:
- Your storage cisterns should be installed properly to ensure that they have close fitting lids and screened overflows. This will prevent the entry of both light and insects.
- It should also be properly insulated against both heat and cold.
- The capacity should not exceed 24 hours normal usage.
- There must be an air gap to prevent back siphonage.
Plumbers and contractors should take great care to ensure that installations should not adversely affect water quality, the level of supply and the equipment of the water supplier during installations.
What Guidance is there?
BS EN 806: Specifications for installations inside buildings conveying water for human consumption
BS 8558: This provides complementary guidance to BS EN 806 and offers detailed guidance on the design, installation, testing, operation and maintenance of services supplying water for domestic use within buildings and their curtilages.
When should you disinfect the water system?
There are numerous instances when water services are required to be cleaned, flushed and disinfected. According to HSG274 (part 2) these include:-
- Following completion of a new water installation (or refurbishment of a hot and cold water system).
- Following installation of new components, especially those which have been pressure tested using water by the manufacturer.
- Whenever the hot and cold water is not used for a prolonged period. This could be as little as two or three weeks, but will depend on the ambient temperature, condition of the water system.
- When a routine inspection of the water storage tanks shows there is evidence of significant contamination or stagnation;
- If the system or part of it has been substantially altered or entered for maintenance purposes that may introduce contamination;
- Following water sampling results that indicate evidence of microbial contamination of the water system
- During, or following an outbreak or suspected outbreak of legionellosis linked to the system;
- If a risk assessment deems it necessary.
Water quality testing
It is always prudent to confirm the effectiveness of a disinfection with a laboratory analysis of the water. For example, for cold water storage tanks, the cost of a “potability” test is just over £30