Read our water safety advice (text alternative)
Water safety in your home (text version):
We’ll always make sure our water systems are installed and maintained to the highest standards – however, if you’ve been away from home for a long time, there’s a chance that the safety and quality of your water could be affected by the growth of bacteria (such as Legionella), which occurs naturally.
This could happen when:
- you've been away on holiday,
- you've been in hospital,
- or you have water outlets such as showers, taps, or hose pipes in your home that aren't used regularly..
- ..but this isn't an exhaustive list.
In our sheltered housing schemes and other communal blocks, we’ll always make sure that any communal facilities, empty properties, and guest rooms are flushed on a regular basis.
What is Legionella?
Legionella is a naturally occurring bacteria present in water. Although the risk is very low, there’s a chance that Legionella bacteria could develop in stagnant or stored water in your home. Inhaling small water droplets containing Legionella can result in a lung infection known as Legionnaires’ disease.
Legionella bacteria can survive at low temperatures and develop quickly at temperatures between 20°C and 45°C – but temperatures above 60°C will kill Legionella bacteria.
What’s Legionnaires’ disease?
As mentioned, Legionnaires’ disease is a lung infection caused by inhaling small droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria.
It can affect anyone, but some people are at higher risk, including those over 45, smokers, heavy drinkers, people suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease, and people whose immune systems have been weakened.
What are the symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease?
Common symptoms of Legionnaire’s disease can include:
- a high fever,
- muscle pains,
- chills,
- chest pains,
- breathing difficulties,
- and persistent coughing (in some cases).
The disease cannot be passed from one person to another.
What should I do if I think I have Legionnaires’ disease?
If you develop these symptoms and are worried that it could be Legionnaires’ disease, please speak to your GP.
If you’re diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, please contact us as soon as you can on 01204 328000.
Here are some simple things you can do to keep your water system clean and reduce the chances of Legionella (which causes Legionnaires’ disease) being present in your water:
- use all your taps regularly,
- regularly clean your showerheads – ideally every three months,
- contact us using 01204 328000 if your hot water is not heating properly,
- if you’ve just moved in, or have been away from your home for two weeks or more, run your kitchen, bath, hand basin taps, and shower for five minutes before using the water - doing this will flush through any bacteria that’s accumulated,
- ensure that you’ve set the hot water temperature on your boiler to maximum. Temperatures above 60°C will kill Legionella bacteria – but beware of burns and scalding, and take extra care if you have children,
- and avoid reducing the temperature setting on your boiler. If you think it needs adjusting, please call us on 01204 328000.
What are our water safety responsibilities?
As your landlord, we’ll:
- carry out regular risk assessments to properties where a Legionella risk assessment is required, and carry out any works identified from the risk assessment,
- where we can, look to reduce or prevent risks through our programmed improvements to water systems,
- chlorinate the communal water systems in line with the risk assessments for the building,
- and carry out repairs and maintenance work to maintain safe temperatures in water systems and communal systems.
Want to speak to us about water safety?
If you’ve any questions on any of the topics raised on this page, you’re more than welcome to contact our Building Safety Team using buildingsafety@boltonathome.org.uk or by calling 01204 328000.