Legionella Legislation UK
Water is something most of us take for granted, but poorly managed water systems can allow Legionella bacteria to grow and spread, leading to serious illness and even fatalities.
UK health and safety law places clear duties on employers, landlords and anyone in control of premises to assess and control the risk from Legionella. This page summarises the main legislation and guidance, and how The Testing Lab PLC (TTL) can help you comply.
Your legal duties for Legionella control
If you are an employer, landlord or have control of a building or water system, you must:
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Make sure your undertaking is carried out so that people are not exposed to health and safety risks.
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Identify and assess any risk from Legionella bacteria in your water systems.
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Prevent or control those risks using suitable measures.
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Manage and monitor the controls to ensure they remain effective.
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Keep appropriate records and review your arrangements regularly.
These duties apply across England, Scotland and Wales and cover workplaces, rental properties, healthcare settings, education, commercial and industrial premises
Key UK legislation and guidance
Several pieces of legislation and guidance work together to define what you must do:
What ACOP L8 expects dutyholders to do
ACOP L8 is aimed at “dutyholders” – typically employers, landlords and those with responsibility for the control of premises.
To comply with their duties in relation to Legionella, dutyholders are expected to:
L8 also sets out responsibilities for designers, manufacturers, importers, suppliers and installers of plant and equipment, and for service providers such as water treatment and maintenance companies.
To discuss your legal duties, arrange a Legionella risk assessment or review your current water management arrangements, please contact our experienced and dedicated team:
Tel: 0800 177 7264
Email: info@thetestinglab.eu
Or please complete our online request a call back form by clicking the “Call Me” button, and we’ll respond promptly.
Technical guidance – HSG274 Parts 1, 2 and 3
HSG274 provides detailed practical guidance on controlling Legionella in specific types of systems. It is divided into three parts:
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Part 1 – Evaporative cooling systems
Guidance on cooling towers and evaporative condensers, including design, operation, water treatment and monitoring. -
Part 2 – Hot and cold water systems
Guidance for domestic water services in all types of buildings, including temperature control, storage, distribution, flushing regimes and routine checks. -
Part 3 – Other risk systems
Guidance for systems such as spa pools, fountains, humidifiers, vehicle washes and any other plant that may create water aerosols.
When TTL completes a Legionella risk assessment or water management programme, our assessors ensure that your controls and recommendations align with the relevant sections of HSG274 as well as L8.
Landlords and Legionella responsibilities
Residential and commercial landlords also have legal responsibilities under health and safety law. In practice this means:
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You must assess the risk of Legionella in the water systems serving your properties.
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You must take proportionate steps to control that risk – for example, ensuring hot water is stored and distributed at suitable temperatures, avoiding stagnant pipework and advising tenants on safe use.
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For higher-risk buildings (such as HMOs, sheltered housing or properties with vulnerable occupants), more detailed assessments and control measures are often needed.
There is no specific legal requirement for a “Legionella certificate” or for routine Legionella sampling in every case. What is required is a suitable and sufficient risk assessment and appropriate control measures based on that assessment.
How The Testing Lab PLC helps you stay compliant
Legionella legislation can feel complex, but compliance is easier when you break it down into clear steps. TTL helps dutyholders across England, Scotland and Wales by providing:
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Legionella risk assessments in line with ACOP L8, HSG274 and BS 8580-1.
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Water management policies and written schemes of control.
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Regular monitoring and inspection programmes for hot and cold water systems and other risk systems.
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Remedial works and cleaning/disinfection where needed.
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Training and support for responsible persons and on-site staff.
Our aim is to translate the legal requirements into a practical, proportionate compliance plan for your specific buildings and systems.
Frequently asked questions about Legionella legislation
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