Water hygiene
Your health and safety is very important to us and therefore we want to ensure that the water in your home is safe to use.
As a landlord, we’re legally required to take reasonable steps to assess and control the risk of Legionella bacteria in your water.
This bacteria can cause Legionnaires’ disease which is a severe lung inflammation caused by breathing in droplets of contaminated water.
Legionella inspections and access to your home
We undertake several different types of inspections; two yearly and five risk assessments dependant on property type and risk, monthly temperature checks in our sheltered blocks and cleaning and disinfecting specific properties, all in accordance with government guidance and risk assessment recommendations to reduce any potential risks.
If you’re contacted by us or our specialist contractors regarding Legionella matters please allow access to undertake the required tests & inspections. This will enable us to control any Legionella risks in your home and keep you healthy and safe.
You’re reminded that under your tenancy agreement, you’re required to allow us or our specialist contractors access to your home if given a reasonable notice period.
Related information
What you can do to help
- Allow us access to your home when we need to carry out water hygiene safety checks or works.
- Run any little-used or unused water taps and showers on a weekly basis (turn on for three minutes).
- When returning from holiday, run all your taps and showers gently for three minutes. Flush your toilets a few times with the lid down.
- Keep taps and water outlets free from limescale – especially inside the spout of taps.
- Descale showerheads at least once every three months.
- Your hot water thermostat must be set to 60°C so that the water reaches your taps above 50°C. If you have problems with your hot water system please call our gas certified engineers Gas Call Services on 0330 002 1169.
Suspect a problem with your water?
Please report this via your MyRaven online account or by calling 0300 123 3399.
Report a health and safety concern
The hot and cold water in your home is your responsibility, but if it is confirmed that your water is contaminated then we will treat all appropriate systems.
Common questions answered
How can I catch Legionnaires’ disease?
You can’t catch it by drinking water, only by breathing in tiny droplets of water containing bacteria that can cause the infection in your lungs.
Does all water contain it?
No, legionella bacteria are widespread in natural water systems like rivers and ponds. Your mains water supply is treated to control bacteria, so your water tap is very likely to be safe. However, stored hot and cold water between certain temperatures can contain the bacteria.
What temperatures and environments can Legionella bacteria grow?
Legionella bacteria grows between 20°C and 45°C. The risk of contamination is particularly high in:
- Water tanks and systems in which water is stagnant and/or recirculated, meaning hot and cold water systems are an ideal environment for Legionella to grow.
- Water droplets or aerosols produced by whirlpool baths or showerheads.
- Mist and spray dispersed into the air.
- Rust, scale, sludge and biofilm (slimy coatings that grow in water systems) that ‘feed’ the bacteria.
Your hot water thermostat must be set to 60°C so that the water reaches your taps above 50°C. Please be careful – this is very hot and you could scald yourself. Your cold water should feel really cold – much colder than room temperature.
Who is most at risk of catching it?
Everyone is susceptible to infection however the risk increases with age, and some people are at higher risk including;
- the very young.
- people over 45 years of age.
- smokers and heavy drinkers
- people suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease.
- people suffering from diabetes, lung, or heart disease.
- anyone with an impaired immune system
If you’re undergoing treatment that weakens your immune system (like chemotherapy) or suffer an autoimmune disorder you must take extra care. If in doubt, consult your GP.
What are the symptoms?
It’s like flu, with symptoms including high temperature, headache, muscle pains, fever, chills, coughing, shortness of breath and chest pains.
What should I do if I think I have it?
Don’t panic – make an appointment to see your GP. You are highly unlikely to catch it, especially in the winter months when the water in your tank is usually a lot colder than 20°C. If your GP diagnoses that you have Legionnaires’ disease, please immediately contact us.