What do i need to do to
comply with Legionella regulations?

If you are responsible for a workplace, commercial property, residential building or other premises where people could be exposed to water systems, you may have responsibilities for controlling the risk of Legionella.

Legionella compliance can seem complicated, particularly if you have inherited a building or water system without clear records or guidance. However, the underlying principle is straightforward: you need to identify the risks associated with your water systems, put appropriate controls in place, and make sure those controls are properly managed and maintained.

At Absolute Water Compliance, we help businesses understand their responsibilities and put practical water safety arrangements in place.

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What are the Legionella regulations?​

In the UK, the management of Legionella risk is covered by health and safety legislation and guidance.

For employers and those responsible for premises, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 can all be relevant to managing the risks associated with Legionella.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also provides specific guidance on controlling Legionella, including HSG274: Legionnaires' disease – The control of Legionella bacteria in water systems.

The exact requirements that apply to you will depend on your premises, water systems and responsibilities.

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What do I need to do to comply with Legionella regulations?​

There isn't a single certificate or document that automatically makes a building “Legionella compliant”.

Instead, you need to demonstrate that the risk from Legionella has been properly assessed and is being effectively controlled.

For most organisations, this means addressing the following areas.

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1. Understand who is responsible

The first step is establishing who has responsibility for managing Legionella risk.

This may be an employer, landlord, facilities manager, building owner, property manager or another person with responsibility for the premises.

If you own or manage a building, you cannot simply assume that someone else is dealing with Legionella.

Where responsibilities are shared, they should be clearly defined and communicated.

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2. Identify your water systems

You need to understand what water systems are present within the building.

This could include:

• Hot and cold water systems

• Storage tanks

• Hot water cylinders

• Showers

• Taps and outlets

• Thermostatic mixing valves

• Dead legs and redundant pipework

• Unused outlets

• Other systems that may create a risk of exposure to Legionella

You cannot properly manage a risk that you don't understand.

A suitable schematic or written description of the water system can therefore be extremely useful when managing your Legionella controls.

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3. Complete a Legionella risk assessment

A suitable and sufficient Legionella risk assessment is one of the most important parts of managing Legionella risk.

The assessment should consider factors such as:

• The condition and design of the water system

• Water temperatures

• Areas of low or no water usage

• Stored water

• Potential sources of contamination

• People who may be exposed

• Vulnerable individuals

• Existing control measures

• Management and maintenance arrangements

The purpose of the assessment isn't simply to produce a document.

It should help you understand where the risks are and what needs to be done to control them.

If significant changes are made to the building or water system, the assessment may also need to be reviewed.

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4. Put a written scheme in place

Where appropriate, you should have a written scheme setting out how Legionella risk is going to be controlled.

A written scheme should explain what needs to be done, how it will be done, and who is responsible.

Depending on the building and water systems, this may include details of:

• Temperature monitoring

• Flushing arrangements

• Cleaning and disinfection

• Inspection and maintenance

• Monitoring frequencies

• Responsibilities

• Corrective actions

• Record keeping

A written scheme should be a practical working document rather than something that simply sits in a folder.

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5. Control water temperatures

Temperature is one of the key factors used to control Legionella in many domestic hot and cold water systems.

The aim is to manage the system in a way that discourages Legionella growth while also considering other risks, such as scalding.

Your control measures should be appropriate for the specific water system.

This is why simply setting a boiler to a particular temperature isn't necessarily enough to demonstrate that a building's water system is being effectively managed.

Temperature monitoring may need to be carried out at appropriate points throughout the system, with results recorded and acted upon where necessary.

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6. Manage infrequently used outlets

Water outlets that aren't used regularly can present an increased risk because water may stagnate.

Examples could include:

• Guest rooms

• Empty offices

• Unused showers

• Toilets or washrooms

• Seasonal accommodation

• Redundant outlets

A suitable flushing programme may be required to reduce the risk associated with infrequently used outlets.

The important point is that flushing should be based on the actual water system and risk assessment, rather than simply following a generic routine without understanding why it is being carried out.

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7. Maintain and monitor the system

Legionella control is an ongoing process.

Completing a risk assessment once and then forgetting about the water system isn't enough.

You should have appropriate arrangements for monitoring and maintaining the controls identified in your risk assessment.

This may include:

• Regular temperature checks

• Monitoring outlets

• Checking tanks and cylinders

• Flushing infrequently used outlets

• Inspecting components

• Identifying defects

• Taking corrective action

• Reviewing records

The frequency of monitoring should reflect the system, the risks identified and the relevant guidance.

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8. Keep accurate records

Good record keeping is an important part of demonstrating that your Legionella controls are being implemented.

Depending on your circumstances, records may include:

• Legionella risk assessments

• Written schemes

• Temperature monitoring results

• Flushing records

• Cleaning and disinfection records

• Remedial works

• Maintenance records

• Training records

• Reviews and corrective actions

Your records should make it possible to understand what has been done, when it was done, who completed it and whether any problems were identified.

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9. Make sure people are competent and appropriately trained

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People who are responsible for managing or carrying out Legionella control tasks need to have the appropriate knowledge, skills and competence for their role.

This doesn't necessarily mean that everyone involved in a building needs the same level of training.

For example, someone carrying out routine temperature checks may require different knowledge from someone responsible for overseeing the organisation's entire water safety management system.

Training should therefore reflect the responsibilities and tasks being undertaken.

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10. Review your arrangements

Your Legionella risk management arrangements should be reviewed when necessary.

A review may be appropriate following:

• Changes to the water system

• Changes to building use

• Changes in occupancy

• Extended periods of closure

• Significant remedial works

• Changes in responsibilities

• Problems identified through monitoring

• An incident or suspected case of Legionnaires' disease

Even where nothing obvious has changed, your arrangements should not simply be allowed to become outdated.

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What happens if I don't comply with Legionella requirements?

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Failing to properly manage Legionella risk can have serious consequences.

Legionnaires' disease can cause severe illness, and businesses and dutyholders can face enforcement action where health and safety requirements are not adequately managed.

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The consequences can extend beyond enforcement. Poor water management can result in disruption to a building, emergency remedial works, reputational damage and significant costs.

The best approach is to identify and manage the risks before they become a problem.

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Do I need a Legionella risk assessment?

If you have responsibility for premises where there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of exposure to Legionella, you should establish what risks exist and how they are being controlled.

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A risk assessment is the starting point for understanding those risks.

It should be specific to your building and water systems rather than being a generic document that could apply to any property.

For example, a small office with a simple mains-fed hot and cold water system will have different considerations from a hotel, care facility, school or large commercial building.

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Is a Legionella risk assessment a legal requirement?

There isn't a universal rule that every building must have a document called a “Legionella risk assessment” regardless of circumstances.

However, employers and people responsible for premises have duties to assess and control health and safety risks, including the risks associated with exposure to Legionella where they are reasonably foreseeable.

For organisations with five or more employees, significant findings from risk assessments generally need to be recorded.

The important question isn't simply whether you have a piece of paper labelled “Legionella Risk Assessment”.

The question is whether you have identified the risks associated with your water systems and are taking suitable measures to control them.

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How often should a Legionella risk assessment be reviewed?

There is no single review interval that is suitable for every building.

The appropriate frequency depends on the circumstances and the level of risk.

You should review the assessment when there are significant changes to the building, its water systems or how the building is used, and when monitoring or other information indicates that the existing controls may no longer be adequate.

Regular review helps ensure that the assessment continues to reflect the actual conditions within the building.

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Read more about the frequency of legionella risk assessments here

What should I do if I have inherited a building with no Legionella records?

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This is a common situation.

If you've taken responsibility for a building and don't have confidence in its existing Legionella management arrangements, don't assume that everything is already compliant.

Start by establishing:

1. What water systems are present?

2. Who is responsible for managing them?

3. Is there a current risk assessment?

4. Is there a written scheme?

5. What monitoring is being carried out?

6. Are records available?

7. What maintenance has been completed?

8. Are there any areas of stagnation or infrequently used outlets?

9. Is anyone responsible for carrying out the required checks?

10. Are the people involved suitably competent?

If you cannot answer these questions, getting competent advice can help you establish where you stand and what needs to happen next.

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Legionella compliance doesn't have to be complicated

The goal of Legionella management isn't to create paperwork for the sake of paperwork.

It is about understanding your water systems, identifying the risks and putting sensible controls in place to protect people.

At Absolute Water Compliance, we help businesses take a practical approach to water safety and Legionella compliance.

Our services include:

• Legionella risk assessments

• Water hygiene monitoring

• Written schemes

• Legionella training

• Water safety advice

• Ongoing compliance support

Whether you've just taken responsibility for a building or you're reviewing an existing water safety programme, we can help you understand what needs to be done.

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Need help with Legionella compliance?

If you're unsure whether your current arrangements are suitable, speak to Absolute Water Compliance.

Don't wait until there's a problem. Get your water safety arrangements reviewed and make sure you know what you're responsible for.

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Get in contact with us here

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main requirements for Legionella compliance?

The main requirements are to identify who is responsible, assess the Legionella risks associated with the water systems, implement appropriate control measures, monitor those controls, keep suitable records and ensure that people carrying out relevant tasks are competent.

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Does every business need a Legionella risk assessment?

The need to assess Legionella risk depends on the circumstances and the water systems present. Where there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of exposure, that risk should be assessed and controlled appropriately.

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Do I need a written scheme for Legionella?

A written scheme may be required depending on the water systems and risks present. Where one is appropriate, it should set out how the identified risks will be controlled and monitored.

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How often should Legionella testing be carried out?

There is no single testing frequency that applies to every property. Monitoring and testing should be based on the water system, risk assessment and relevant guidance. Routine temperature monitoring and other control checks are often more relevant than simply relying on periodic laboratory testing.

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Can I manage Legionella compliance myself?

Some organisations manage their water hygiene arrangements internally. However, anyone responsible for Legionella control needs to have the appropriate competence for the tasks they undertake. Where the risks or water systems are complex, competent specialist advice may be appropriate.

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What is the difference between Legionella compliance and water hygiene?

Legionella compliance is part of a wider approach to water safety and hygiene. It involves managing the risks associated with Legionella and ensuring that appropriate controls are in place. Water hygiene can encompass a broader range of issues affecting the safety and quality of water systems.

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Get your Legionella compliance under control

If you're responsible for a building and you're not sure whether your current Legionella arrangements are sufficient, the first step is to understand what you have, what the risks are and what controls are currently in place.

Absolute Water Compliance can help you turn Legionella compliance from a confusing responsibility into a clear, manageable process.