Water safety

What is Legionella?

Legionella is a harmful bacteria commonly found in water, when system conditions are favourable (water temperatures between 20ºc – 45ºc, and a food source such as rust, sludge and scale). It can multiply rapidly leaving users potentially exposed and susceptible to contracting Legionnaires disease if systems are not checked regularly and controlled.

Legionnaires disease is a potentially fatal form of Pneumonia normally contracted by inhaling small droplets of water containing the bacteria. Everyone is susceptible, however some groups of people are at higher risk, such as;

• Older people
• People who smoke or are heavy drinkers of alcohol
• Sufferers of chronic respiratory or kidney disease
• People with diabetes, lung or heart disease
• People whose immune system is impaired

Your home has several measures in place to protect you and your family from harm. Some of them are our responsibility and some things are your responsibility.

Here’s how we work with you to keep you safe:

• Regularly assessing communal water systems and complete any changes needed. This includes a thorough clean and chlorinate and temperate check of the systems.
• Making improvements and maintaining systems.
• Carrying out legionella risk assessments and completing any identified remedial works on all properties including those that are empty before they are re-let.

We have partnered with a local company who are experts in their field (Reef Water Solutions Ltd) to undertake the above on our behalf.  

What can I do?

• Use all your taps regularly, at least weekly.
• Do not adjust the temperature setting of the boiler or hot water cylinder.
• Regularly clean showerheads – if showers are used regularly the risk is reduced, however you should still regularly clean and disinfect your shower head, ideally every 3 months.
• Inform Cornwall Housing if your hot water or heating is not working properly.
• If you have been away from your home for more than 1 week, run all taps through for 5 minutes before using the water, being careful not to inhale water droplets.
• Allow Cornwall Housing and Reef Water Solutions engineers access to your home to carry out tests and assessments on your water systems when required (advanced notice will always be given).         

Common questions:

What do I do if my water is a different colour or smell than normal?

Changes in the colour or the smell of your tap water are commonly down to issues with the mains water – contact South West Water to investigate if you are concerned: Report a problem | South West Water