Water safety
As your landlord, we carry out thorough checks of water systems to make sure water is safe for you to use and does not contain legionella.
What is legionella?
Legionella is a type of bacteria found in stagnant water. Legionella bacteria is generally not harmful in low concentrations. However if it develops in your home water system it can cause a bacterial infection such as legionnaire's disease.
Am I at risk?
The risk of contracting legionnaire's disease is very low, however, certain residents will be at greater risk. The risk categories are:
- those aged over 45
- smokers and heavy drinkers
- those with chronic respiratory or kidney disease
- those with diabetes, lung, or heart disease
- those with an impaired immune system
If you breathe in tiny droplets of water containing legionella bacteria this will cause the infection. You cannot get legionnaire's disease by drinking water containing legionella bacteria or from people who have the infection.
Water safety checks
We assess all homes, identifying any risks and implementing preventative measures where necessary to improve water quality.
We carry out water risk assessments (WRA's) for those with shared water storage. These checks are carried out every 5 years. If your home does not have a stored water installation there is a lower risk. We sample 1% of these properties every year.
How can I prevent legionella?
Please read the water safety information leaflet provided to you at the start of your tenancy.
Legionella bacteria grows in stagnant water. If your home has been empty for more than 1 week we recommend the following to reduce the risk:
- run the hot water tap for a minimum of 60 seconds
- remove the showerhead and run water for at least ten minutes
- flush the toilet twice to circulate fresh water
Other things you can do:
- clean showerheads every 3 to 6 months
- avoid hanging damp dishcloths over taps