Legionella is a type of bacteria that can grow in water systems such as taps, showers and hot water tanks. It can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a nasty lung infection that can be serious. You can catch it by breathing in tiny droplets of water containing legionella bacteria. It cannot be passed from person to person. Legionella grows more easily in water between 20°C and 45°C, particularly where water has been left standing for a while.
Here are some simple things you can do to help reduce the risk: If you have a hot water tank, set it to 60°C. This doesn’t apply if you have a combi boiler that heats water as you use it. If you have taps or showers you don’t use much, run the hot and cold water at least once a week for at least two minutes. This is known as flushing them out. If your home has been empty for a week or more, flush out your taps and showers before using them as normal. Turn taps on slowly when flushing them out to avoid splashing water. When flushing out a shower, try to avoid creating spray. If you can remove the shower head, lower the hose into the bath. If you can’t, cover the shower head with a towel or facecloth while the water runs. Clean and descale your taps and shower head every three months, or sooner if you can see a build-up of scale or dirt. If your hot or cold water feels much hotter, colder or just a bit different to how it usually feels, please let us know.
Before you move into your home, we check the water system to help reduce the risk of legionella. In flats and homes with shared water systems, we check the water system every year and carry out risk assessments. We also check shared water tanks regularly and clean them when needed.
Keeping You Safe in Your HomePDF (3 MB) PDF (3 MB) At Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, we follow the law to keep you safe in your home. Learn more about the key areas we regularly check to make sure everything works as it should. Download Water Management PolicyPDF (444 KB) PDF (444 KB) Download
