Services

Providing Everything You Need

Chlorination
(Cleaning and disinfection)

Cleaning and disinfection of water tanks and associated hot and cold down services is an important part of water hygiene. Whether it be a small domestic water storage tank feeding a small water heater, or large water tanks feeding many properties the fundamentals are the same, clean tanks mean clean water.

If there is perceived to be a bio-film problem, we utilise Saturated Silver Hydrogen Peroxide (SSHP), a powerful bio-dispersant, which is easily monitored and safe to use, especially when working in hospitals, nursing or care homes, or where occupants are deemed vulnerable.

In addition, we also disinfect the following systems:

Mains Water
Systems
Condensate
Systems
Calorifiers
Water Features
Water Cooling Towers/Evaporative Condensers
Humidifiers

On completion of works, we issue a Chlorination Certificate and can offer extensive water testing for Legionella, TVC Ecoli (total viable counts) through a UKAS certificated laboratory. In the event of a water hygiene problem we have staff on hand to assist you with technical support and practical advice.

Descales

Here at A1 Water Treatment Ltd all of our maintenance engineers are fully aware that scale on any heat transfer surface reduces the effectiveness of that heat transfer.

This results in reduced equipment efficiency whilst increasing energy consumption, increasing costs and even increasing plant downtime.

In the past removing scale has been a major problem. Mechanical removal requires extensive downtime while the item of equipment is disassembled, then reassembled. We therefore have devised a safe and effective way of removing scale deposits from all types of water-cooled and water heated equipment using our portable pump and tank thus removing the need to dismantle the equipment.

A descale improves plant efficiency, lowers costs, conserves energy, decreases downtime and extends the usable life of cleaned equipment.

Legionella Risk assessments

Legionella Legal Requirements

Employers are required to control the risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria in accordance with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations. This is achieved by following the Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) L8 The Control of Legionella (Bacteria in Water Systems) in general these require the employer to conduct the following:

The aim of any Legionella Risk Assessment should be to assess and record the extent, condition, design and management of all water systems within a property. It should assess the risk of bacterial contamination by Legionella species, the potential of the bacteria to multiply and the potential for this to infect people with Legionnaire’s disease.

The risk assessment should allow site management to instigate remedial actions to decrease any perceived immediate risk and to implement a Legionella control program to manage the risks long term. The Legionella assessment should include not only the physical water systems but should also include the management structure, current control systems in place and execution of these control mechanisms. Without adequate management a control program will always fail.

When we undertake a Legionella Risk Assessment all recommendations are be made with the site’s specific requirements in mind, taking into account such things as occupancy and usage. It should also take into account such things as budgets and manpower so as to devise realistic options that the site will be able to implement.

When we present the report it is done in such a way as to make understanding the requirements easy. We provide detailed remedial actions with prioritised risk ratings to enable you to remedy higher risk items first.

A Legionella Risk Assessment is truly bespoke and will include the following information:

Design and physical condition of hot and cold water systems, tanks, water heaters, thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs), air conditioning and all other systems capable of posing a risk.
Aerosol generation capability of outlets and water systems
Storage and distribution temperatures
Any areas of stagnation or dead-legs
Biological analysis results
Risk of exposure posed by each system
Detailed system schematics
Remedial works recommendations
Any chemical treatment requirements
Management regime recommendations

If you fail to produce an up-to-date Legionella Risk Assessment upon request from an enforcing authority, you are open to criticism and could face a fine.

Microbiological Analysis

Our organisation regularly assesses the quality of domestic water services with regard to general microbiological activity.

Sterile containers containing Sodium Thiosulphate as per Environment Agency Practices and Procedures for sampling drinking water 2002 for sampling criteria and/or combination dipslides for bacteria count, and yeast/fungi count bacteria yeast and mould count.

Water samples collected from representative locations within the domestic water services. Bacteriological samples are collected and transported as per UKAS accredited sample methods. Samples are then independently analysed by a UKAS accredited laboratory.
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Water Temperature Measurements

To assess the physical temperature of the water services to establish safe thermal conditions exist.

Digital read out meters, immersion and contact temperature probes.

All testing is undertaken using equipment which has been pre-calibrated, in accordance with UKAS accredited test methods.

The optimum growth temperature for legionella pneumophila is between 35˚C and 46˚C.

Water systems that tend to promote growth of Legionnaires' disease bacteria include:

pH between 5.0 and 8.5
Sediment that tends to promote growth of commensal micro flora Microorganisms such as algae, flavobacteria, and Pseudomonas, which supply essential nutrients for growth of LDB, or protozoa that harbour the organism such as amoebae.

Water systems that frequently provide optimal conditions for growth of Legionnaires’ disease bacteria include:

Cooling towers, evaporative condensers, and fluid coolers that use water evaporation to reject heat. These include many industrial processes that use water to remove excess heat.
Domestic hot-water systems with water heaters that operate below 60˚C (140˚F) and deliver water to taps below 50˚C (122˚F).
Poorly maintained humidifiers and decorative fountains that create a water spray and use water at temperatures favourable to growth.
Spas and whirlpools with aeration.
Dental water lines, which are frequently maintained at temperature above 20˚C (68˚F) and sometimes as warm as 37˚C (98.6˚F) for patient comfort.
Possibly other systems such as stagnant water in fire sprinkler systems or warm water for eye washes or safety showers.

On Site Monitoring to ACop L8

Our organisation provides a regular water quality sampling and analysis service as part of the monitoring required with Legionella control, giving you peace of mind that this task is proficiently undertaken.

As part of your legal requirement to maintain your site’s water systems, we can provide the necessary paper work, in the form of a Water Service Log Book and we can monitor your system contractually on a regular basis to maintain your duty of care.

The following measures have to be implemented as required by (ACoP) L8:

Arrange for samples to be taken from hot water calorifiers, in order to note condition of drain water.

Check temperatures on the flow and return pipework leading to and from the calorifier.

Check water temperature up to one minute to see if it has reached 50˚C in the taps.

Visual check on internal surfaces of calorifiers for scale and sludge. Check representative taps for temperature as above on a rotational basis.

Annually

Monthly

Annually

Check tank water temperature remote from ball valve and mains temperature at ball valve. Note maximum temperatures recorded by fixed max/min thermometers where fitted.

Check that the temperature is below 20˚C after running the water for up to two minutes in the taps.

Visually inspect cold water storage tanks and carry out remedial work where necessary. Check representative taps for temperature as above on a rotational basis.

Six monthly

Monthly

Annually

Hot Water Services

Cold water services

Water Sampling on hot and cold services

To take 1 no. Legionella from the CWS tank and 2 no. TVC Ecoli (total viable counts) from the hot and cold services.

CWS Tanks

To manually clean and chlorinate CWS tanks and all associated hot and cold services. Annually

This would have to be repeated for each system if there is more than one on site.

Shower Heads

Dismantle, clean and descale shower heads and hoses.Quarterly or as neccessary

TMVs (Thermostatic Mixing Valves)

Service TMVs.

Little-used outlets

Flush through and purge to drain, or purge to drain immediately before use, without the release of aerosols.

Six monthly

Annually

Quarterly or as necessary

Annually

Weekly

Closed Circuit Cleaning

Our organisation is acutely aware of the need for good water quality to achieve accuracy in operation of heating cooling and other closed pipework systems. The system should be free of contaminants. This means that:

The system water should be free of construction debris, dirt and excessive particle matter.
Internal surfaces to be free of millscale and appropriately treated to minimise on-going corrosion.
Pipework, fittings and terminal units should be free from settled solids that could increase the risk of corrosion.
Residual levels of suspended solids should be low enough not to cause difficulties with commissioning or significant accumulation in low flow areas.
Biofilm formation should be minimised by appropriate use of biocides and those bacteria associated with microbiologically induced corrosion should be controlled.

We have as a result developed the in-house capability to undertake the pre-commission cleaning of systems in accordance with BSRIA Application Guide BG29/2011 Pre-commission Cleaning of Pipework Systems. The service is available to our customers as part of an integrated programme for cleaning and commissioning, or as a standalone package for flushing and cleaning of new and existing pipework systems.

Due to the problems that frequently occur from bacteriological infestation of closed water systems, arising from the construction process, we can provide portable dosing rigs for the attachment to the incoming water supply, to biocide treat all incoming water used for filling and charging completed pipe systems and also incorporate within the flushing and cleaning, a biocide wash to remove any bacterial filming which may have occurred prior to filling the system.

We also have a selection of portable pump rigs specially designed for our purpose for use where the system pumps are not available for circulation of water during flushing and cleaning.

Legionella Legal Requirements

The revised Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) and guidance Legionnaires’ disease: The control of Legionella bacteria in water systems has some important changes that could affect you as a provider of residential and commercial accommodation. This short guide will help you understand what these changes mean for you, and the action you will need to take to ensure that the risk from exposure to Legionella in the premises you are responsible for is properly controlled. To do this you will need to consult the ACoP and guidance for further detail on managing and controlling Legionella risks – Omit this sentence.

What are the changes to the ACoP L8?

The most significant change for you, as provider of residential accommodation, is the removal of the 300 litre limit for hot and cold water services. This was an artificially chosen limit and its removal means that all premises with a water system are now within the scope of the revised ACoP. Also, recent research shows that Legionella does occur in smaller domestic systems.

Practical guidance on how to comply with your new legal responsibilities regarding control of Legionella is given in the ACoP. It is important you use the current version of the ACoP as it has been recently updated. Important changes that were made to the ACoP and guidance include:

Keeping records for a minimum of five years;
Water treatment companies and consultants must show their service is effective;
Recommend guidance linked to the appropriate sections of the ACoP;
Details on all aspects of risk assessment control; and
Inclusion of tables which detail the monitoring requirements for cooling towers, and hot and cold water systems.

What do I have to do to comply with the law?

Legionella bacteria can multiply in hot or cold water systems and storage tanks in commercial and residential properties, and then be spread e.g. in spray from showers and taps. Although the generally high throughput and relatively low volume of water held in smaller water systems reduces the likelihood of the bacteria reaching dangerous concentrations, you must still carry out a risk assessment to identify and assess potential sources of exposure. You must then introduce a course of action to prevent or control any risk you have identified.

Assessing the risk

It may be possible for you to assess the risk yourself, but if you do not feel you have the right skills, you can obtain help and advice from our organisation. When we carry out a risk assessment, we consider the following:

Are conditions right for the bacteria to multiply, e.g. is the water temperature between 20˚C and 45˚C?
Are there areas where stagnant water occurs (deadlegs), e.g. pipes to a washing machine that is no longer used?
Are there infrequently used outlets, e.g. showers, taps?
Is there debris in the system, such as rust, sludge or scale (often a problem in old metal cisterns), that could provide food for growing Legionella?
Are there thermostatic mixing valves that set a favourable outlet temperature for Legionella growth?
Are any of your employees, residents, visitors etc vulnerable to infection, e.g. older people, those already ill? Answering ‘yes’ to any of these questions suggests there is an increased risk of your residents being exposed to Legionella and falling ill.

What should you do if you identify risks?

Introduce proper controls, which could include disinfection of the system – you will need to refer to the ACOP for guidance on the action you should take. As the design, maintenance and operation of the system are crucial in controlling the growth of Legionella, any action you take is likely to include the following:

Ensuring water cannot stagnate anywhere in the system, e.g. remove redundant pipework, run taps/showers in unoccupied rooms;
Keeping water cisterns covered, insulated, clean and free of debris;
Insulating pipework;
Maintaining the correct temperature at the calorifier (i.e. the hot water cylinder);
Advising maintenance staff working on the system about the risks and the control measures you are taking and the precautions they can take, such as flushing through showers following a period of non-use.

Note: raising the temperature of your warm water is one way to control Legionella growth, but could also increase the risk of burns and scalding. You will need to consider points like this when you do your risk assessment and decide which control measures to use.

We can provide a nationwide service, so contact us today to discuss your requirements with one of our staff and obtain a no obligation quotation for your requirements