We want to make sure the water supply to your home is healthy and bacteria- free. Harmful bacteria can build up in your taps, shower head and pipes.

Water is fed into all our homes via external water mains. It is then either stored in your water tank in the loft and immersion heater, or fed directly into your boiler. If you have a combi-boiler, you will not have a tank storing water in your home. This kind of boiler just heats the water as it passes through from the mains.

Bathroom

All man-made hot and cold water systems are likely to provide an environment where legionella can grow. Legionella is a bacteria which can cause Legionnaires’ Disease. 

Legionella requires a certain environment to grow. Dirty taps, showerheads, and areas of low water usage are ideal for it. If water is left to sit in pipes and stagnate, and outlets are left uncleaned this provides the ideal situation for legionella to feed and grow.

There is no need to worry though. Water systems such as the one in your home, are unlikely to grow legionella as they use plenty of water. If you have a combi-boiler, the risk is even lower.

Frequently asked questions:

  • How do I know if my home has legionella?

    Each year, we will carry out water risk assessments on 250 homes that have water storage systems, like cold water tanks in the loft. We'll make sure not to choose the same properties if they've already been checked in the past five years.  

    We have completed legionella risk assessments on all of our shared communal spaces where water is present.

    We employ a licensed legionella contractor to carry out our risk assessments. Their licence means that all assessments are completed to a high standard.

  • What can I do to keep my water safe from bacteria?
    •  Keep any taps or water outlets clean and free from debris and limescale build up.
    • Clean showerheads thoroughly every three months.
    • Flush water outlets you don’t use much and showers for a few minutes every week to keep the water in the pipes flowing.
    • Set the thermostat on the hot water cylinder (if you have one) to at least 60°C.
    • If after running the cold tap for a few minutes the water is warm, let us know.
    • If after running the hot tap for a few minutes the water isn’t heating up properly, let us know.
    • Do not disturb cold water storage tanks. Leave them sealed, insulated and covered with the right lid.
    • Contact us if your storage tank is damaged or if the lid or insulation is missing.
    • If your home is empty for more than seven days, run all hot and cold water taps for at least a minute, and flush any toilets when you return. This will refresh the water in the storage cylinders, tanks and pipes.
    • Clean any water softeners fitted to the incoming mains water supply as recommended by the manufacturer.
  • What about legionella outside my home?

    Make sure you run the shower hose or tap for two minutes before using any water from it.