UKAS Accredited Legionella Testing Services
Guaranteed Technical Competence
Our UKAS accreditation to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard is your assurance of technically valid results, competence of staff, and the reliability of our methods.
Regulatory Compliance
Focus
Our services are specifically designed to help you meet your legal duties under the HSE’s ACoP L8 and HSG274 guidelines, ensuring you are fully compliant.
Clear, Actionable
Reporting
We provide more than just data. You receive a comprehensive certificate of analysis with jargon-free interpretation to help you understand your results and take the right actions.
Legally Defensible
Results
Using a UKAS accredited laboratory provides a robust audit trail and demonstrates due diligence, giving you peace of mind in the event of regulatory scrutiny.
Why is Legionella Testing Critical?
Legionella bacteria can thrive in man-made water systems where temperatures are between 20-45°C. When contaminated water droplets are inhaled, it can cause Legionnaires’ disease—a severe and potentially fatal form of pneumonia. Regular testing is essential to identify contamination early, protect public health, and avoid the significant legal and financial penalties associated with non-compliance.
Our UKAS Accredited Testing Process
Step 1: Sample Delivered to Us:
A water sample is delivered to our lab from one of our clients under sterile conditions. This process should follow strict procedures to prevent any external contamination.
Step 2: Laboratory Analysis:
Samples are analysed in our dedicated UKAS accredited laboratory using the standard culture method. This process takes 10-14 days and precisely enumerates the number of Legionella bacteria present.
Step 3: Comprehensive Reporting:
You will receive an official certificate of analysis detailing the results.
Ensuring Compliance with UK Regulations
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, if you are an employer, landlord, or person in control of premises, you have a legal duty to manage Legionella risk.
The HSE’s Approved Code of Practice L8 (ACoP L8) is the definitive guide for compliance.
Our testing services are designed to support your ACoP L8 control scheme, providing the accurate data needed to prove your management plan is effective.
Which Water Systems Require Testing?
A Legionella risk assessment is required for all workplace water systems. Testing is particularly critical for high-risk systems that create and disperse breathable water droplets, including:
- Hot and cold water systems
- Cooling towers & evaporative condensers
- Spa pools, hot tubs, & decorative fountains
- Various Process Water Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often should I test for Legionella?
A: The frequency depends on your risk assessment. High-risk systems like cooling towers should be tested at least quarterly, while standard hot & cold water systems may be tested annually or as determined by your control scheme.
Q: Is a Legionella risk assessment a legal requirement?
A: Yes. Under ACoP L8, anyone in control of premises is legally required to have a Legionella risk assessment conducted by a competent person.
Q: What happens if Legionella is found in my water?
A: If Legionella is detected, you must follow the action plan in your risk assessment. This typically involves reviewing your control measures and may require disinfection and re-sampling to confirm the issue is resolved.
Understanding Your Legionella Test Results
Receiving your certificate of analysis is just the first step. Understanding what the numbers mean is crucial for taking the correct action.
Our reports are clear and easy to interpret, and we follow the action levels recommended by the HSE’s HSG274 guidance.
Less than 100 cfu/litre:
The system is considered to be under control. You should maintain your current control measures and monitoring schedule. We may still advise a review of your control measures as a proactive step to ensure the highest standards of safety are maintained.
Between 100 and 1,000 cfu/litre:
This indicates that the current control measures may not be effective. A review of your control scheme and risk assessment is required, and a resample should be considered.
Greater than 1,000 cfu/litre:
This indicates the system is not under control and requires immediate action. You must review your risk assessment, implement corrective measures (such as disinfection), and resample to confirm the actions have been effective.