Legionella safety in Your Home and Building

At Homes in Somerset, your safety is our top priority. One of the key areas we focus on is managing the risk of Legionella bacteria in our properties. Legionella is a naturally occurring bacteria that can grow in water systems if the conditions are right. If inhaled in tiny droplets, it can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a type of pneumonia that can be very serious, especially for older people or those with health conditions.

We want all residents to feel confident that their homes and communal areas are safe. That’s why we carry out a robust Legionella control programme across our housing stock.

What We Do to Keep You Safe

We have a Legionella Management Plan in line with the Health and Safety ACOP L8 and HSG274 guidance. Our contractors carry out a range of checks and controls, including:
 

• Our teams are trained and competent in Legionella control, and all our records are regularly audited to ensure compliance with national safety standards.
• Planned maintenance.
• Regular water temperature checks in communal areas and blocks of flats.
• Routine inspections of communal water tanks and systems.
• Showers and taps in communal areas that aren’t used frequently are flushed through regularly to keep water moving.
• Tanks are checked to ensure they are clean, covered, insulated, and in good condition.
• Water sampling and risk assessments.
• We carry out Legionella risk assessments of all blocks and schemes, with clear schematics and recommendations.
• We take and record temperatures from hot water cylinders, tanks, and sentinel taps to ensure water is stored hot enough (above 60°C) and cold water is kept cold (below 20°C) to minimise bacterial growth.
• We work closely with approved contractors to maintain high standards of water safety.
• Where needed, we conduct water sampling to check for any signs of bacteria.
• Any defects, leaks, or issues with water systems are logged and actioned promptly.
• Flushing of little used outlets.

What You Can Do as a Customer

While we manage the communal water systems, there are a few simple steps you can take at home to help reduce any risk of Legionella bacteria growing in your taps, showers, or appliances:

• Keep water moving.
• Run all taps and showers for at least a minute every week, especially if you’ve been away for a while.
• Clean and descale showerheads regularly.
• Build-up of limescale can create conditions where bacteria thrive.
• Keep your hot water settings hot.
• If you have control over your hot water system, make sure the temperature is set to at least 60°C.
• Flush through appliances that use water.
• Run cycles on washing machines, dishwashers, or garden hoses if they haven’t been used for a while.
• Report any issues straight away.
• Let us know if you notice strange smells, discoloured water, or if taps take a long time to get hot or cold.
  
  
  Our Commitment
  
  Legionella control is a vital part of keeping all our homes safe. Our dedicated compliance team works behind the scenes carrying out lots of checks every year, so you don’t need to worry.
  
  We’re here to make sure your water systems are safe, well-maintained, and regularly monitored.