Water Hygiene

What is Legionnaires’ disease?

Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia. It is caused by inhaling small droplets of water which have been contaminated by legionella bacteria. Not everyone exposed to legionella becomes ill.

Legionella bacteria is normally found in streams, rivers and lakes. However, when conditions are right, they can also enter a home’s water system.

Legionella bacteria is most likely to grow where water is stored between 20-45°C, and where there is sludge, rust or limescale present for the bacteria to feed upon and multiply.

You can contract Legionnaire’s disease by inhaling contaminated water droplets, such as those from a shower. You cannot catch it from drinking contaminated water.

Anyone can contract Legionnaires’ Disease, with around 200-400 cases being reported in the UK each year; but older people, smokers, and people with cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory and kidney diseases are most at risk. The symptoms of Legionnaires’ Disease are similar to those of the Flu, but it is not contagious.

What Should I do to Keep My Home Safe?

  1. Clean shower heads regularly - Keep all shower heads and taps clean and free from limescale build up, mould or algae growth.
  2. Ensure your boiler is set to heat water to 60°C, you should not interfere with the settings on your boiler or hot water cylinder to deviate from this.
  3. Flush through showers and taps (in all sinks and the bath) by running water continuously for 2-5 minutes before their first use after a period of non-use (e.g. after you have been on holiday)
  4. If you have a hosepipe, ensure you drain any remaining water out of it after use and store it out of direct sunlight. You should also flush your hosepipe through for a couple of minutes before filling paddling pools, as bacteria may have built up inside.

When to Contact us

If you notice any of the following, please contact us for assistance on 0800 833 160.

  • The cold water is still running warm after you have initially run off any water which may have accumulated in the pipes. Your cold water should not be over 20°C.
  • There is any debris or discolouration in the water.
  • The boiler is not working properly, especially if the water is not coming out of the taps at a sufficiently high temperature. It should come out of the tap at a temperature of 50°C after it has run for a minute at the longest.
  • If you have a water tank, please advise us if the lid is missing or damaged.