Legionella Testing & Water Quality Analysis

1
Legionella Testing Water Quality Analysis
Legionella Control International is the UKs
leading legionella testing company offering a
comprehensive suite of laboratory tests including
UKAS-accredited legionella analysis, sampling and
water tests to those with responsibility for the
management of health and safety in the
workplace. We test water and other environmental
samples for the presence of Legionella bacteria
and other waterborne pathogens commonly found in
engineered water systems and can tell you if your
water meets current legal safety standards, and
if not what you need to do about it.
2
UKAS accredited legionella testing solutions Our
confidential water quality analysis,
interpretation and support services are cost
effective, accurate and reliable. They have been
developed to produce accurate test results that
can be relied on, and support the control,
compliance and environmental risk management
activities of our clients throughout the UK and
around the world. The periodic sampling and
testing of water sources for the presence of
Legionella bacteria is a valuable means of
demonstrating to the regulator, clients,
colleagues and other important stakeholders that
adequate control over a water system is being
maintained and that levels of Legionella bacteria
are kept within safe limits.
3
World-class water quality analysis specialists
We are a world-leading water safety and
legionella risk management company offering a
range of specialist services to help landlords,
business owners, property and facilities
managers, the duty holder and responsible person.
We are expert in the delivery of pragmatic health
and safety solutions that include the control of
legionella and Legionnaires disease, legionella
testing and analysis, the development and
implementation of water safety control schemes,
compliance auditing, City Guilds training
courses and software solutions to organisations
throughout the United Kingdom and
internationally.
4
Download our UKAS laboratory testing services
brochure
If you would like to learn more about our
legionella testing and water quality analysis
services and how we can help you develop
practical plans that keep people safe, protect
your reputation and demonstrate to the regulator
and other important stakeholders that you are
taking reasonable steps to manage the
legionellosis risks in your workplace then
contact us today. To speak with one of our
legionella specialists call us today on 0330 223
36 86 or contact us here
Our legionella testing solutions in more detail
Our expert laboratory based UKAS legionella
testing, water quality analysis and microbiology
services operate to strict quality control and
laboratory accreditation standards to ensure
accuracy and reliability. What is Legionnaires
disease? We are members of the UKs Legionella
Control Association (LCA) and are formally
approved by them to deliver several specialist
services including the testing and analysis of
water samples for Legionella bacteria.
Additionally, our management systems are
certifiedby the British Standards Institution to
ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, the international
standards for quality and environmental
management systems.
5
Jargon-free interpretation of test results Many
laboratory service providers simply present
clients with the results of each test without any
interpretation or support. However, we are
leading experts in the control of Legionnaires
disease, legionella bacteria and other water
pathogens and have extensive experience in the
analysis, interpretation and practical management
and control of such risks. This means we can
explain in jargon-free language what the results
of individual tests mean for you, how your risk
management activities may be affected, and help
you develop a practical plan to resolve any
problems that are identified in an effective and
timely manner. Regular sampling and testing of
water for the presence of Legionella bacteria is
a valuable means of demonstrating to the
regulator and others that adequate control over a
water system is being achieved to keep it safe.
6
Demonstrating adequate water system control The
periodic sampling and testing of water sources
from man-made systems for the presence of the
bacteria is a valuable means of demonstrating
that adequate control over such a water system is
being achieved. Put simply, if you dont test
your water how do you know it does contain unsafe
levels of bacteria! Additionally, the analysis
of samples from water sources suspected of being
contaminated with bacteria is also an important
forensic tool that can be used to identify
possible sources of risk within a water system.
Regular sampling and testing for legionella The
UKs Health Safety Executive (HSE) in their
Approved Code of Practice ACOP L8 suggest the
following Periodic sampling and testing for
the presence of legionella bacteria may also be
relevant to show that adequate control is being
achieved. However, reliably detecting the
presence of legionella bacteria is technically
difficult and requires specialist laboratory
facilities. HSE ACOP L8. The latest, fourth
edition of the HSEs ACOP L8 can be ordered
direct from the HSE website if you require a hard
copy, or downloaded here for free Download
your copy of the HSEs ACOP L8 here
7
How does Legionnaires disease testing
work? Qualified microbiological laboratories are
experienced in the detection of legionella
bacteria. Using specialist techniques, they can
identify specific serogroups in individual
samples which can help to forensically identify
the source of an outbreak of Legionnaires
disease.
8
How long does laboratory testing take? UKAS
accredited testing and analysis procedures for
Legionella bacteria are typically performed using
a standard culture procedure. This culture method
usually takes between 10 and 12 days to complete.
However, if analysis indicates a potential
positive result for the presence of legionella
bacteria during the testing phase, you will be
notified immediately and the implications of the
preliminary results explained in detail. Whats
the difference between legionella testing
sampling? Many people think these refer to two
separate methods of legionella testing. However,
sampling merely refers to the process of taking
the water sample collecting it so it can later
be tested under laboratory conditions. When you
use our legionella sampling service, you can rest
assured we will undertake professional sample
collections, in accordance with recognised
British Standards. Furthermore, we will test
those samples in a UKAS-accredited laboratory,
ensuring you get reliable and accurate results
each and every time. Each water sample tested
will receive a UKAS stamped test certificate
which should be retained but can also be used to
demonstrate to the regulator the effectiveness of
your scheme of control.
9
Who can be appointed to monitor and test for
legionella? Anyone can take on this task, but
they must have proper knowledge and understanding
of the tasks to be completed. Training is
typically advisable, to ensure there is a
complete understanding of the steps required to
keep the samples and water system free from
contamination. Learn more about legionella
training While you can do it yourself, providing
you are competent to do so, in practice, many
people decide to hire a competent expert to
handle this aspect of testing and monitoring on
their behalf. Testing water for legionella It
is vital to follow the correct British Standard
developed for use in these instances BS7592.
This standard applies to the sampling method
developed to test and/or monitor legionella
bacteria in water systems. If a biocide is used
in the water treatment process, it should ideally
be neutralised beforehand. All water samples
collected should then be tested by a
UKAS-accredited laboratory. All the samples our
experts take when assessing a site for
legionellosis risks are tested in this
manner. Download BS7592
10
How often should I test water for
legionella? Extensive guidance about when to
test water for legionella is available in the
HSEs guidance document HSG274. Cooling
systems Part 1 of the HSG274 guidance which
deals with evaporative cooling systems including
cooling towers calls for the make-up water and
cooling water itself to be tested for both
microbial activity and Legionella. Download your
copy of the HSEs HSG274 Part 1 here Dipslides
are typically used to monitor microbial activity
in the make-up water every three months, while
the cooling water itself should be monitored on a
weekly basis. In addition to this, the guidance
requires the cooling water to be tested for
legionella every three months at a minimum. If
there are issues with the legionella test results
from the cooling system, or there are changes
evident that indicate a lack of control, more
frequent testing may be prudent until good
control is re-established. Using dipslides to
test for bacteria
11
Hot and cold water systems Part 2 of HSG274,
which deals with hot and cold water systems says
that testing of mains fed domestic water systems
is not usually required unless the risk
assessment or on-going monitoring programme
suggests there may be a problem. Download your
copy of the HSEs HSG274 Part 2 here Closed
systems If you have a closed water system that
is not exposed to the atmosphere, ongoing
monitoring would not typically be required.
However, if there are ever any concerns or doubts
over the cleanliness of the system, water
temperatures, or other elements, more regular
testing would again be a good idea. The rule of
thumb, therefore, is not to assume your system
requires testing at specific intervals. Rather,
you should meet the minimum requirements and take
input from your system, a risk assessment, and
resultant tests, to determine the most
appropriate testing regimen.
12
How do I interpret legionella testing
results? This is perhaps the most complex part
of the analysis process. It is one reason why
many people decide to enlist the help of an
experienced team of experts, who are trained to
obtain and interpret test results for legionella
in hot and cold water systems, cooling towers and
other engineered water systems. By hiring an
experienced team, you can be certain every aspect
of your own water system will be covered, and
that any potential risk of legionella can be
identified, isolated, and treated, so it is not
allowed to develop into a greater risk in the
future. The levels of bacteria present, the
nature of the water system, and the risk
assessment undertaken will all contribute to the
appropriate steps that should be taken. The HSEs
technical guidance HSG274 contains further
information and advice relating to interpretation
of test results and which actions to take
following those results. The latest edition of
the HSEs HSG274 Part 2 can be ordered direct
from the HSE website if you require a hard copy,
or downloaded here Download your copy of the
HSEs HSG274 Part 2 here
13
Are there alternative methods of testing? The
current process involves sampling and testing
cultures in UKAS-accredited laboratories.
Typically, 10 to 12 days are required for
cultures to be developed to attain a result. This
may not be fast enough in situations where there
is already a suspicion there could be elevated
levels of legionella and other water-borne
bacteria in the water system. What about the
qPCR test methods? An alternative is to use the
quantitative qPCR assay method, which reduces the
testing time to just two days. This is recognised
as a preferable route to take where there is a
suspected outbreak of Legionnaires disease
where there may be doubt over the efficacy of
current cleaning and disinfecting methods and
where this form of testing is used as a regular
way of checking the situation on-site. In the
latter case, proper use of the culture method
should also be in place however, the quicker
qPCR test may prove useful in-between those
testing regimens. Learn more about the qPCR
assay method of testing It should be noted the
qPCR samples should not completely replace the
gold standard use of cultures to get results.
They can, however, provide additional information
and faster results in situations where speed is
of the essence. When faster qPCR testing does
indicate the presence of elevated levels of
legionella bacteria, appropriate steps can be
taken to ensure the water system is treated, and
that people at risk can be protected. But further
in-depth testing via cultures should also be done
to get more in-depth results over the longer
period of time.
14
Need same day results? DIY test to get Yes-No
results in 25 minutes If time is of the essence
and accurate results are required urgently, we
also offer an innovative rapid DIY test,
LegionellaFast which uses the latest rapid-test
technology to detect Legionella bacteria in
water. Our handheld LegionellaFast is quick and
simple to use and will deliver very accurate,
easy to use, easy to understand YESNO test
results on-site in only 25 minutes.
Download our DIY test kit brochure here
15
Do you need water testing or a legionella risk
assessment? Domestic hot and cold water systems
do not generally require testing for legionella
unless there have been problems, the system is
out of control or you suspect it may be
associated with a case of Legionnaires disease.
However, if you are the duty holder or
responsible person, you do have a responsibility
to confirm the water system is safe and not at
risk of becoming home to dangerous levels of
bacteria. Every landlord and business in the UK
that operates property, facilities or equipment
and stores or uses water in any way will be
required to conduct a legionella risk assessment
it is a legal requirement. While you can do
this yourself, and test the water supply if
required, wouldnt it be easier to hire the
experts to do it for you? This ensures you will
be covered, and you will have the peace of mind
of knowing your premises are safe, and that you
have missed nothing. Learn more about legionella
risk assessments Another point worth noting is
that a water system that is open like a cooling
tower or water feature, will likely be at greater
risk of contamination than one that is closed. If
the system is open, there is a greater chance of
contaminated water droplets being spread through
the air and being inhaled by people in the
vicinity. By adopting a pro-active approach to
legionella risk assessments and testing, you can
make sure your business is protected, and that
you are doing all you can to ensure no one is at
risk of infection.
16
Relevant standards The primary British Standards
associated with the testing, detection,
enumeration and sampling procedures include BS
EN ISO 117312017Water quality. Enumeration of
Legionella BS 75922008Sampling for legionella
bacteria in water systems. Code of practice
Additional laboratory services Additionally, our
microbiology laboratory facilities allow us to
offer testing for a variety of other microbial
organisms including Pseudomonas Coliforms E.coli
Enterococci Clostridia Moulds Fungi
17
World-leading legionella testing company We
offer professional legionella testing and water
quality analysis solutions to support businesses
and those responsible for the safety of
engineered water systems in the workplace. Our
experienced legionella experts can help you
manage your water facilities, meet your insurance
obligations, and maintain compliance with the law
and so keep people safe. With offices
in Manchester, London and Glasgow, supported by
in-field consultants, engineers and technicians
we can offer world-class environmental risk
management and water testing solutions to
businesses throughout the UK and
internationally. For more information about our
water quality analysis services call us today on
0330 223 36 86 or contact us here