Water Quality and Hygiene Management
Find out more about our Water Quality and Hygiene Management Services
Water Quality and Hygiene Management
Whether for people or process, water is an integral part of all our buildings; so good water hygiene management is an essential aspect of workplace compliance. Our consultancy is unique in that we offer UKAS Accreditation to ISO 17025 for our on site water sampling and testing together with the laboratory analysis. This guarantees an accurate and independent service for thousands of samples that we take on behalf of our customers every year.
Services
- Water quality testing (drinking, domestic, process and Legionella)
- Hygiene and quality assessments
- Management policies, reviews and systems
- Water hygiene training
- Closed water systems management review
Benefits
Our consultants can also advise you on the use of our online compliance management solution “Assurity Plus 2.0” to view real-time progress of your allocated actions, simplify the way you work, demonstrate greater compliance control, have useable management reporting and enhanced visibility of risks.
Once through the water meter, whatever it serves, the quality of water in your premises is your responsibility. It is also covered by legislation as diverse as, the Water Supply (Water Quality) and Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare), Regulations not to mention any process or private water supply requirements you may have.
Understanding the systems and services - pumps, pipes, tanks, valves and outlets - that this water serves is another important element in properly assessing the quality of water. Other influencing factors include temperature, hardness, chemical control, conductivity and pH levels.
Read our independent workplace guide on drinking water coliforms
Specifics
Customer testimonials
London & Regional Properties
"Assurity Consulting are the people that ‘check the checker’. They make sure everything is up to date, they offer ‘fresh eyes’ and help us to make sure we are forward thinking on all health and safety matters. I am very proud to say I have a long standing team and tenants who are completely satisfied that our building has continually high quality standards of health and safety"
- Chris Longman, General Manager, London & Regional Properties
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Read moreWater Quality FAQs
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommend that temperature testing of sentinel domestic outlets (those closest and furthest from the water supply and representative of the system as a whole) should take place on a monthly basis, and all outlets in a building should be tested on an annual basis. This is to make sure that cold water temperatures are operating below 20°C within two minutes of flushing and all hot water services achieve between 50ºC and 60°C within one minute of flushing. This task must be recorded also stating the location, date and the name of the person carrying out the checks.
However, in some instances carrying out temperature tests of a greater number of outlets in a building more regularly may also be needed, as for example water temperatures can change significantly due to seasonal variation. Where cold water temperatures might be 10ºC in the winter months, mains water is often supplied above 20ºC during the summer. These temperatures can provide an ideal environment in which Legionella can multiply; putting yourself and occupants at risk.
You can manage this risk by understanding the water temperatures in your building throughout the year; this will enable you to take suitable actions and precautions. For example, Legionella grow best in water that is stagnant, and more frequent temperature testing of all outlets can identify where stagnant water may be sitting and gaining heat within a system. Using this information, you can implement a flushing regime of low usage outlets to increase water turnover and minimise the risk of Legionella infection; even during the summer months.
Related services: Water Quality and Hygiene Management
Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) regulations 1992, each employer has a duty for “an adequate supply” of “wholesome” drinking water for their employees (Regulation 22). The strict guidelines for what constitute wholesome drinking water are set by the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2018 and the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 2010. These detail what, if any are the permissible levels of chemicals and micro-organisms in water intended for drinking. This includes indicator bacteria, such as coliforms, that might suggest other more harmful bacteria such as salmonella may be present in the water too.
Achieving compliance comes down to following the guidelines and regulations to make sure the cleanliness of outlets and water systems. Cleaning procedures should comply with manufacturers specifications and be reviewed to make sure they are effective. It is important for those responsible to be aware of hygiene standards and sanitising procedures to prevent the growth of bacteria and maintain a wholesome supply of water.
Related services: Water Quality and Hygiene Management
Water Quality and Hygiene Management
If you would like expert, independent advice on water quality and hygiene within your building, please contact us for a detailed, confidential and without-obligation discussion of your requirements.
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