Fast Inspections & Compliant Reports
* On-site water system inspection
* Identify Legionella growth risks
* Temperature & stagnation checks
* Detailed report with action plan
* UK compliance (ACoP L8 / HSG274)
* Covers all London areas
A Legionella risk assessment is a structured evaluation of water systems and related equipment to identify conditions that could allow Legionella bacteria to grow and spread in aerosols. It focuses on practical control, so people can run buildings confidently without guesswork or unnecessary disruption.
The process maps the full water system, from incoming supply to outlets, storage, heaters, cooling equipment, and any points where mist can form. It checks typical risk drivers: stagnant sections, poor temperature control, inadequate disinfection, scale, sludge, corrosion, and low-use outlets.
It also reviews who uses the site and where exposure could be higher. Findings are recorded with a clear risk rating and a targeted action plan. Recommended controls may include temperature targets, flushing routines, cleaning and descaling, biocide regimes, monitoring schedules, and simple system modifications.
Done well, it turns a complex risk into manageable choices.
£300
In practice, regulators typically expect a proportionate, written assessment whenever people other than the duty holder could be affected, including staff, tenants, visitors, or contractors. Failing to assess can be treated as a breach of general health-and-safety and housing duties, especially after an incident or complaint.
A compliant approach preserves operational freedom: it lets the responsible person decide controls that match real risk rather than defaulting to costly, blanket measures. It also supports defensible decision-making showing who is responsible, what checks are done, and how issues are corrected. Where third-party management exists, clear allocation of duties is essential. Insurers and auditors often request it too.
Where water can stagnate, warm, or be aerosolised, the Legionella risk assessment should cover every part of the site’s water systems that could expose staff, residents, visitors, or contractors. This includes incoming mains, storage tanks, cold-water distribution, hot-water generation and return loops, and all outlets such as taps, showers, spray hoses, and bidets. It should also include systems that create fine droplets or hold warm recirculating water, such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers, spa pools, humidifiers, misting units, decorative fountains, vehicle washes, and some industrial process water.
Little-used pipework, dead legs, flexible hoses, thermostatic mixing valves, and infrequently occupied rooms must be in scope, as they can quietly become low-flow incubators. Temporary or seasonal assets, vacant buildings, and changes of use should be covered so responsibility stays clear and risks do not hide in neglected corners.
Methodically, a Legionella risk assessment maps the site’s water systems, identifies conditions that support bacterial growth or aerosol spread, and checks how well existing controls prevent exposure.
The assessor reviews system drawings, maintenance logs, and previous test results, then verifies them on site to guarantee the written picture matches reality. Key assets are inspected, access points confirmed, and operating practices observed without disrupting normal use.
Temperatures, flow patterns, and control settings are checked against the site’s intended standard, and any gaps in monitoring are noted. Where sampling is appropriate, it is planned to answer specific questions, not to create busywork.
Findings are recorded in a clear, auditable format, with practical recommendations ranked by risk and effort. The deliverable is a written risk assessment and action plan that lets dutyholders choose timely, proportionate steps and assign responsibility without losing operational freedom or control.
What, then, signals that a water system could support Legionella and expose people to aerosol?
Assessors focus on conditions that allow bacteria to grow, spread, and reach the lungs: water held at 20–45°C, poor circulation, and storage or pipework that creates dead legs. They note scale, sludge, corrosion, and biofilm, since these shelter microbes and blunt disinfectant action. They check for intermittent use, seasonal shutdowns, and complex layouts that increase the likelihood of stagnation.
They also map where aerosol is generated, such as showers, spray taps, pressure washers, spas, cooling equipment and who might be exposed nearby. They consider incoming water quality, user susceptibility (older people, smokers, those with weaker immunity), and whether contractors or guests bring unpredictable demand.
Finally, they review equipment condition, access for inspection, and any history of high counts, complaints, or prior incidents on site.
We keep it straightforward: identify the risk, check the water system, and provide a clear management plan.
We confirm the correct assessment scope, property type, access arrangements, and your reason for the assessment (landlord compliance, workplace safety, insurance, or general duty of care).
We inspect accessible water systems, focusing on typical risk locations—such as water tanks, calorifiers, and outlets (taps/showers)—based on the building age, use, and system features.
If water quality or system conditions need confirmation, samples are taken safely using controlled methods to ensure accurate laboratory analysis while minimizing any risk of aerosol release.
Results, including temperature readings and system observations, are compiled into a clear report that documents risk locations, findings, and practical actions.
You receive a digital report and clear guidance on what to do next (implement a written scheme of control, monitor temperatures, or undertake remedial disinfection).
Hot Water: Store and circulate at temperatures that suppress Legionella growth.
Regular review keeps a Legionella risk assessment aligned with how a water system is actually used and maintained. It should be reviewed at least annually, or sooner if monitoring shows persistent temperature, biocide, or microbiological failures.
A redo is warranted after any material change that could alter risk: new plant or pipework, removal or addition of dead legs, tank replacement, altered set points, changes to water treatment, or extended shutdowns and recommissioning. Review is also triggered by changes in occupancy or use, such as seasonal opening, higher-risk users, reduced staffing, or a shift in cleaning responsibilities.
Any suspected or confirmed Legionella case linked to the premises requires immediate reassessment and corrective action.
Finally, if documentation is incomplete, control measures are not being followed, or the responsible person changes, the assessment should be refreshed so decisions remain in the hands of those running the system day to day.
Wandsworth
Harrow
Ealing
Bromley
Croydon
Fulham
Kensington
Westminster
Sutton Surrey
W1
SW
WD
EN
CM
IG
RM
DA
BR
CR
SM
KT
TW
UB
HA
A remote assessment can be partially completed, but a full, defensible one usually requires a site visit to verify systems, usage, temperatures, and controls. Remote reviews rely on records and photos, increasing uncertainty and risk.
Typically, completion takes 1–3 hours on-site, with reporting finished within 1–5 working days. Duration varies by building size, water-system complexity, access, records quality, and sampling needs, enabling owners to manage risk.
Where confirmation is needed, sampling and lab testing can be arranged as part of the survey process.
A competent assessor typically holds water hygiene training (e.g., City & Guilds), understands relevant guidance, has practical building-services experience, appropriate insurance, and demonstrates independence, clear reporting, and a track record of empowering clients with informed, uncoerced choices.
In the UK, costs typically range from £150–£600 for small premises, rising to £1,000+ for complex sites. Pricing varies by system complexity, travel, report depth, and retesting needs, allowing informed, independent choices.
Often, yes; many insurers request evidence of a current assessment when water systems are in place, especially for landlords or businesses. Requirements vary by policy and risk profile, so checking terms and keeping records helps preserve cover.
