Legionella Risk Assessments & Water Safety Plans
Our Legionella Risk Assessments provide a clear, structured and professional evaluation of water systems across commercial, healthcare, hospitality, industrial and public sector environments. Our assessments help duty holders understand where risks exist, what control measures are required, and how water hygiene responsibilities can be effectively managed and demonstrated.
For organisations with larger, more complex or higher-risk water systems, we also develop and review Water Safety Plans (WSPs), providing a comprehensive framework for managing water quality and safety from source to outlet. A Water Safety Plan builds upon the findings of a Legionella Risk Assessment, helping organisations take a proactive and holistic approach to water risk management.
Why Legionella Risk Assessments Are Required
Employers, duty holders, landlords and those in control of premises have a legal responsibility to assess and manage the risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria from water systems. A Legionella Risk Assessment is the foundation of compliance and should lead to a written scheme of control where risks are identified, setting out how risks will be prevented, controlled, monitored, recorded and reviewed.
The control of Legionella bacteria is guided by the Health and Safety Executive's Approved Code of Practice L8 (ACOP L8), HSG274 technical guidance and relevant British Standards. BS 8580-1:2019 provides recognised recommendations for carrying out Legionella Risk Assessments, while BS 8680:2020 supports the development and implementation of Water Safety Plans as part of a wider water safety management strategy.
Water Safety Plans (WSPs)
A Water Safety Plan is a risk-based management system designed to identify potential hazards throughout a building's water systems and establish robust control measures to minimise risks to water quality and public health.
Particularly beneficial within healthcare, education, large commercial estates, residential developments and complex environments, Water Safety Plans provide a structured approach to:
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Identifying and assessing water-related hazards
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Defining critical control measures and monitoring requirements
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Assigning management responsibilities and escalation procedures
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Managing risks associated with Legionella and other water quality concerns
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Improving governance, compliance and operational resilience
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Supporting ongoing review and continual improvement
Our Water Safety Plans are tailored to each facility and can be fully integrated with Legionella Risk Assessments, Written Schemes of Control and water hygiene monitoring programmes.
Written Scheme of Control
Where a Legionella risk is identified, a Written Scheme of Control must be prepared, implemented and actively managed. This document sets out the practical arrangements for controlling risk, including roles and responsibilities, monitoring frequencies, control limits, remedial actions, record keeping and review requirements.
The Written Scheme transforms the findings of the risk assessment and Water Safety Plan into a clear, auditable management programme that supports effective day-to-day water hygiene control.
What Our Assessment Covers
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Review of site water systems, assets and areas of potential Legionella risk
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Assessment of hot and cold water services, storage arrangements, outlets and system condition
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Identification of sentinel points, low-use outlets, dead legs, temperature issues and areas of poor water turnover
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Evaluation of existing control measures, monitoring records and management arrangements
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Clear prioritisation of remedial actions and risk reduction measures
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Development of Water Safety Plans where required
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Practical recommendations to support site-specific Written Schemes of Control
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Compliance guidance aligned with ACOP L8, HSG274, BS 8580-1:2019 and BS 8680:2020
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Professional reporting suitable for compliance records, audits and internal governance
Supporting Duty Holders and Responsible Persons
For larger or higher-risk premises, water hygiene compliance must be clearly defined, documented and actively managed. We support duty holders, responsible persons, facilities managers and estate teams by providing clear findings, proportionate recommendations and practical next steps that can be incorporated into both Written Schemes of Control and Water Safety Plans.
Whether you manage a single commercial property, a hotel, a healthcare facility or a complex multi-site estate, our approach is designed to give you confidence that your water systems have been assessed professionally and that your compliance obligations are being addressed through a robust and practical water safety management framework.
Book a Legionella Risk Assessment
If you are responsible for a building, estate or water system, we can help you meet your legal duties and strengthen your water hygiene compliance. Contact us to arrange a professional Legionella Risk Assessment or Water Safety Plan and receive clear, actionable guidance for managing water safety across your premises.