Legionella & Water Safety – Low-Cost Monitoring Routines

Legionella control in primary care relies on disciplined routines rather than expensive equipment. By planning checks, keeping clear records, and collaborating with competent contractors, practices can meet regulatory expectations and protect patients.

Start with a thorough risk assessment

• Map every hot and cold water system, identify dead legs, and list high risk outlets such as showers or treatment room taps.
• Record system diagrams, control measures, responsible persons, and temperature targets.
• Review the assessment at least annually or whenever the building layout, occupancy, or plant changes.

Build weekly and monthly habits

• Check outlet temperatures to confirm hot water reaches at least 60°C at the source and 50°C at the outlet, with cold water under 20°C.
• Flush infrequently used outlets for two minutes, logging date, time, and person completing the task.
• Inspect storage tanks for cleanliness, insulation, and secure lids; document any cleaning or remedial work.

Work effectively with contractors

• Agree sampling schedules, disinfection routines, and reporting formats with a competent service provider.
• Review contractor reports promptly, escalate remedial actions, and record progress in a shared tracker.
• Keep copies of competence certificates, insurance details, and method statements alongside the reports.

Prepare for incidents

• Draft a short plan that sets out isolation steps, notification routes, and contact details for local health protection teams.
• Store template letters for patients, staff, and partner organisations in a restricted folder ready for quick use.
• Run periodic desktop exercises to rehearse decision making and confirm contact details remain current.

Keep your records inspection ready

• File temperature logs, flushing records, and contractor reports in chronological order with version control.
• Summarise findings each quarter, highlighting outstanding actions and their owners.
• Retain evidence of staff training and toolbox talks that explain why routines matter.

Take the next step

Review this week’s logs and confirm every entry is complete and legible. Share the summary with practice leadership and discuss how premium maintenance calendars, audit templates, and incident packs can support multi-site estates.

Disclaimer

This guidance is for general information. It is not a substitute for legal, clinical, or specialist advice. Always seek professional support tailored to your practice.