Water Hygiene Maintenance

SMS Environmental offers a wealth of technical, product and engineering water treatment expertise through our technical experts, project managers, and water treatment technicians.

Specialist Water Hygiene Services

Legionella preventative maintenance PPM, Flushing Little-used Outlets, temperature checks, tank inspection

SMS Environmental provides innovative technical solutions to buildings and facilities managers in areas of Legionella control, health and safety, water treatment, ductwork and ventilation system cleaning, and the testing of clean and waste water. We work in partnership with all of our clients to provide safe and comfortable building environments for all building users.

The risk from exposure to Legionella should be prevented or controlled; precautions should include the use of water treatment techniques.

ACoP L8 - Legionnaires’ disease The control of legionella bacteria in water systems

As an expert in Legionella management, SMS Environmental has the competence to deal with all matters relating to the hygiene of plant and equipment to control the spread of Legionella.

The SMS Environmental team has a proven track record with clients in a wide range of industries, including Government, Healthcare, Housing, and Facilities Management organisations and Bluelight authorities.

We are full members of the Legionella Control Association as well as having certified management systems which are externally audited on an annual basis.

Water Hygiene Maintenance Services include but are not limited to:

Water Sampling and Analysis

Our team of Legionella experts can undertake water sampling to measure the effectiveness of the control measures and the quality of the drinking water and to check for bacteria such as:

Legionella bacteria
Coliforms
E. coli and Total Viable Counts
Pseudomonas
Faecal streptococci
Sulphite-reducing clostridia
Nitrite-reducing and oxidising bacteria
Leptospira
Clostridia
Salmonella
Pyrogenicity
Protozoa such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica
Determination of algae, fungi, yeasts and Moulds and viruses

Samples are collected in sterile bottles and dropped off to accredited UKAS laboratories for testing and analysis within 48 hours of the sample being taken. Read more about legionella and other water sampling we offer.

Hot and Cold Water Services Temperature Control

Hot and cold water outlets, calorifier flow and return temperatures as well as TMVs (if fitted to sentinel outlets) should be checked on a monthly basis. This action helps ensure that the supply and flow of the water remains at the correct temperature that will not encourage the growth of Legionella. Hot water should reach 60°C; cold water temperature flows should fall below 20°C. All water temperatures are recorded using our Opuz software.

Flushing Little-used Outlets

Water standing within storage tanks and pipework is a breeding ground for Legionella and in accordance with ACoP L8 guidelines should be flushed weekly to prevent proliferation of bacteria growth.

Cold Water Storage Tank Inspections and Cleaning

Water storage tanks should be inspected at least annually. Must be kept clean, as neglected tanks and reservoirs are high-risk areas for the spread of Legionella and other types of bacteria that can proliferate in stagnant or contaminated conditions.

Our engineering team have the ability to expertly clean, flush and chlorinate the cold water storage tanks and all associated pipework and outlet points.

Showers Head Clean and Descale

Shower heads, including hoses, are required to be kept clean as scale that accumulates can harbour and nurture bacteria, and when used they cause a large amount of droplets and aerosol that are readily breathable. Cleaning and disinfecting shower heads on a regular basis removes both the nutrients and habitat required by bacteria, thus minimising the risk of any Legionella bacteria that may be present in the water from multiplying.

Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMVs)

Our TMV servicing (including valve and fine-mesh strainer cleaning, descaling and disinfection) solutions are delivered by experienced water treatment and engineering experts, using the latest testing equipment and high-performance disinfectants. TMVs are maintained, serviced and tested regularly to ensure they remain safe and compliant.

Water System Cleaning and Descaling

Regular cleaning and disinfection of water systems is essential to control water hygiene as sludge, sediment and scale can build up in a water system and provide favourable conditions for the Legionella bacteria to multiply.

Sludge and slime is also known as biofilm and this produces the ideal conditions for bacteria to grow within the water supply. A preventative maintenance regime of cleaning and descaling will ensure that biofilm doesn’t proliferate, which will ensure water treatment costs are kept to a minimum.

Robust Reporting Through Opuz Compliance Software

Through our Opuz software, we have an effective and robust process in place for maintaining audit trails and compliance and a CAFM system all rolled into one. Compatible on Android and IOS devices, and able to be integrated with other CAFM systems, Opuz has the ability to control the entire work order process and can export comprehensive reports into PDF, or Microsoft Word or Excel.