Water safety

Legionnaires' disease

Legionnaires' disease is a rare but serious lung infection similar to pneumonia. It's caused by breathing in tiny water droplets containing Legionella bacteria. In severe cases, it can be fatal.

Legionnaires' disease is rare but potentially a fatal illness. It's caused by breathing in small droplets of water that contain the Legionella bacteria. This can lead to a cough, high fever, shortness of breath, and muscle aches.

While it's associated with large buildings, like hotels, hospitals, and office blocks, Legionella can also grow in your home, especially where water sits still or isn't used often. This could include unused taps, shower heads, and garden hoses.

Where Legionella comes from

Legionella bacteria are naturally found in water. In small amounts, they're usually harmless. But inside buildings, they can grow quickly in:

• Warm water (between 20 °C and 45 °C)
• Stagnant water that hasn't moved for a while, which allows sludge, rust, or scale to settle in one place. This gives the bacteria the nutrients it needs to grow.
• Dirty shower heads or taps where bacteria can multiply.

Keeping water systems clean and well-maintained reduces the risk of Legionnaire's disease

What we do to keep your water safe

We carry out regular checks to keep water systems safe:

• Risk assessments - we regularly assess Legionella risk in properties with shared water systems (like Retirement Living Schemes) and carry out checks on all homes.
• Testing and inspections - we regularly test communal water systems to make sure they're clean and safe.
• Vacant properties - before re-letting a home we replace showerheads and hoses and flush the whole water system.
• Staff training - our staff are trained to identify and manage Legionella risks.

What you can do

Simple steps can keep your water supply safe:

Keep water at the right temperature

• Hot water should be hot - it should reach at least 50°C at the tap within 1 minute. Warning: Take care as hot water can scold Cold water should be cold - contact us if your cold water is still warm after 2 minutes of running.
• Don't change your boiler settings - stored hot water should be set to 60°C for at least one hour a day.

Keep water flowing

• Run water from taps and showers you don't use often - at least once a week for 1 minute.
• This includes garden taps, secondary bathrooms, and guest toilets.

Keep showers clean

• If you rarely use your shower, run it on the hottest setting for at least 2 minutes once a week.
• It's best to remove the shower head from the hose to reduce water droplets in the air. If not possible, cover the shower head with a plastic bag, fill it with water, and pour it away slowly.
• Clean and descale shower heads every three months, or more often if needed, using a store-bought cleaner.

Going on holiday

• If your home is empty for more than a week, flush all taps, showers and outlets when you return.
• Open taps slightly and run them slowly for 1 minute, then fully open for 4 more minutes. Be careful not to overflow sinks or basins.
• Flush toilets twice with the lid down before use.

Infrequently used outlets

• Run water from rarely used outlets, like garden taps, secondary toilets or bathrooms, for at least 1 minute weekly.

Report problems

Let us know if:

• Your boiler or hot water cylinder isn't working properly.
• Your cold water is warmer than 20°C after 2 minutes.
• There's debris or discolouration in your water.

Report a repair

Saving water at home

Saving water can lower your bills (if you have a meter) and help the environment.

Baths and showers

Baths and showers use the most water in a household.

• A 4-minute shower uses less water than a bath.
• The average shower uses 12 litres per minute - timing matters.
• Reducing bath water by a few inches saves around 10 litres.

Toilets

• Dual-flush toilets - use the smaller flush for liquid waste.
• Single-flush toilets - a cistern displacement device can reduce water per flush.
• Leaking toilets - can waste 200 litres a day. Report a repair if you notice a leak.

Washing

• Run dishwashers and washing machines only when full .
• Use eco mode on dishwashers - it saves water and energy .
• When washing up by hand, use a bowl or plug the sink.

In the garden

• Use a watering can instead of a hose.
• Water early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation.
• Install a water butt to collect rainwater.
• Check the weather - if rain is expected, let nature do the work.

• Save Water Save Money offers a range of products to help reduce water use and save money, some of which are free!.