Water hygiene in Hereford
Hereford in Herefordshire has a typical West Midlands mix of industrial units, offices, hospitals, schools and a large HMO and student market. Each of these brings its own water hygiene challenges, and we tailor every assessment to the building in front of us.
Older industrial and commercial buildings in the West Midlands frequently carry redundant pipework and dead legs left behind by previous refits.
Why local water matters
Water in Hereford is generally moderately hard. Hard water deposits limescale on shower heads, taps, TMVs and inside calorifiers. Scale gives legionella bacteria a protected surface to grow on and can stop thermostatic valves working properly, so descaling and servicing intervals should reflect it.
The rules that apply in Hereford
Legionella and water hygiene. In England, legionella duties come from the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and COSHH 2002, with HSE's ACoP L8 and HSG274 setting the standard. Enforcement is by HSE or the local authority, depending on the premises.
Local enforcement. In Hereford, legionella law is enforced by Herefordshire Council's environmental health team for offices, shops, hotels, restaurants and leisure premises, and by HSE for factories, warehouses, hospitals, schools and council-run premises.
Who we help in Hereford
- Private landlords, letting agents and HMO operators
- Freeholders and managing agents of blocks of flats
- Offices, shops and commercial landlords
- Schools, colleges and student accommodation
- Care homes, GP surgeries and dental practices
- Hotels, guest houses and holiday lets
- Factories, warehouses and industrial estates