What Is Water Monitoring?

A Water Monitoring Programme may be the next step following the completion of a Legionella Risk Assessment depending on the risks identified in accordance with ACoP L8. A written, site specific Water Monitoring programme is intended to address any aspects of the water system and its operation that may allow for the colonisation of bacteria which may then be exposed to people both within the vicinity of your building and outside. The control regime should be specific to the water systems present within your ownership with all control measures intended at minimising the risks appointment to personnel competent to fulfil them.

Following the risk assessment a ‘Responsible Person’ will be appointed. They will be required to ensure water monitoring activities identified are completed, and records are kept.

Why Is Water Monitoring Required?

Water Monitoring is an essential aspect for compliance with ACOP L8 and HSG274It is also highlighted in ACOP L8: 2013 where it states: ‘For precautions to remain effective, the condition and performance will need to be monitored. The appointed responsible person should oversee and manage this. Or, where appropriate, an external contractor or an independent party’.Both HSG274 and ACOP L8 require that the following are completed:
‍· Check the performance of the system and its component parts
· Inspect accessible parts of the system for damage and signs of contamination
· Monitor the treatment or treatment regime to ensure that it continues to control the required standard
· Audit the existing site records system

What is Involved?

The actions involved in the monitoring, testing and inspection of water systems will be based on the types of water systems and the components within them.Under HSG274, an effective water monitoring programme for domestic hot and cold water systems should include:

· Temperature monitoring of water outlets, water heaters, cold water storage tanks and Calorifiers

· Showerhead and hose cleaning or replacement

· Maintenance of Thermostatic Mixing Valves

· Inspection of Cold Water Storage Units

· Inspection of Calorifiers

Water Log Books

Under requirements set out by HSG274, it is important that a method for effectively recording and storing the data gathered is established. It is also a requirement that this information is kept at for least five years.

EMS Water are able to provide paper based Water Hygiene Log-books for this purpose which ensures that all data is stored in a central place and kept up to date. We are also able to provide cloud-based software for this purpose. This is particularly useful for clients with large property portfolios and multi-site surveys.

How EMS Water Can Help

EMS Water have extensive knowledge of Legionella monitoring and inspections work. We are able to offer bespoke monitoring programmes to suit your individual needs on both a local and national level. We provide pre-planned visit management, to suit your requirements.

Our packages include full L8 compliance monitoring, however this can be adapted to just the areas not covered by your internal resource. EMS Water also undertake water sampling and analysis for both closed, process and domestic systems. This includes aspects such as pH, Inhibitor, Legionella, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Total Dissolved Solids, Conductivity and Hardness. All bacteriological analysis is conducted through a UKAS accredited laboratory.

What Do We Do at eMS Water

EMS Water works in accordance with the Health andSafety Executive’s (HSE) Approved Code of Practice L8 (www.hse.gov.uk) to provide:

ACOP L8 Risk Assessments | Water Monitoring | Water Sampling | Training & Ongoing Compliance

All of EMS Water’s consultant are fully qualified with experience within the industry. In addition, all staff undertake regular CPD courses to ensure they are compliant with HSE guidelines.Our Water Safety Consultants are members of theWater Management Society: www.wmsoc.org.uk.

The majority of our Water Safety Consultants have over 10 years of experience within the water industry, allowing them to provide you with a wealth of experience to your water solutions.

We also operate internal training schemes for members of our team to develop their knowledge and skills for progression within the company or the wider water industry.

All our operatives are experienced and fully trained for the tasks in which they are assigned and also hold current DBS and CSCS cards as standard. This allows you total confidence when using EMS Water for your water safety solutions, including working on site or in areas with people considered as vulnerable.

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"Very helpful and efficient service. I will happily recommend to others and will use again in future. Performed within a tight deadline - very much to our satisfaction"

Peter Benson - Cheltenham Properties Ltd

‘I have experienced an excellent working relationship since I first contacted EMS Water. This has been with both with the admin and onsite contacts. It is reassuring to know I can contact the office with any concerns I may have with our ongoing monitoring.’

Martyn Pritchard - Mentor Mon

Clients First

EMS Water believe in building long standing relationships with our clients through trust and integrity and high standards of work. This is a mantra that ensures that EMS water keeps client needs at the forefront of our work. Our friendly and professional service mean that we are growing rapidly, but we pride ourselves on our ability to remain independent and attention to our clients’ needs. We believe in first class service as a priority and maintain our high levels of client service and services through regular review procedures and audits.

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The next step following the completion of a Legionella Risk Assessment