Water Treatment & Legionella Testing

We are able to look after the water quality within steam raising plants, cooling tower & evaporative condenser systems, heating and chilled circuits. Our trained and experienced engineers undertake regular site visits where water samples are analysed. Upon completion of these site tests, we prepare written reports with remedial actions as needed.

In 2001 The HSC (Health & Safety Commission) released their latest ACOP (L8) - The control of legionella bacteria in water systems.

This Code is enforceable principally under The Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and The COSHH Regulations 1999 and replaced the previous HSC ACOP L8 and associated HSE HS(G)70 guidelines. It affects all employers and those with responsibility for water systems in premises

How can Legionnaires' be prevented?

The likelihood of Legionella infection can be best reduced by good engineering practices in the operation and maintenance of air and water handling systems.

Cooling towers and evaporative condensers should be inspected and thoroughly cleaned at least once a year.

Corroded parts, such as drift eliminators, should be replaced. Algae and accumulated scale should be removed.

Cooling water should be treated constantly. Ideally, an automatic water treatment system should be used that continuously controls the quality of the circulating water. Chlorine is often used as a disinfectant of the water, while testing for Iron (rust) and checking the Turbdity and Conductivity are methods of monitoring the water quality.

Fresh air intakes should not be built close to cooling towers since contaminated water particles may enter the ventilation system.

In temperatures above +50 degrees C and temperatures below +20C the Legionella bacteria can not survive, so one method of control, or at least testing to alert the site owner to a problem, is to check the water outlet temperature using an accurate thermometer.