Having clean, safe water in your home is important for your health and wellbeing. Here’s how you can help keep your water supply free from bacteria.
What is legionnaires' disease?
Legionnaires’ disease 
is a type of lung infection caused by breathing in tiny water droplets (aerosols) that contain Legionella bacteria. This bacteria can grow in water between 20°C and 45°C, especially in stagnant water. However, they cannot spread from person to person or by drinking water.
High temperatures of 60°C or above kill the bacteria, so keeping your hot water system working properly is key.
How is water tested and kept safe?
Water companies
Your water company tests and treats the water supplied to your home to ensure it’s clean.
Homes with communal water systems
In higher risk systems where there’s stored water present, such as communal systems, we at SNG also take extra precautions by:
- Checking water temperatures
- Sampling for bacteria
- Monitoring for contamination
- Inspecting cold water storage tanks and periodically cleaning drinking water tanks
- Shower descaling and cleaning
- Servicing thermostatic mixing valves
We use two contractors (Aquacare and Aquastat) to monitor, service and risk assess our buildings where there communal systems.
If you notice issues like your hot water not heating properly, unusual deposits (like rust), or odd smells, let us know immediately so we can investigate.
If someone in your home has a confirmed diagnosis, with Legionnaires’ disease, contact us right away. We’ll sample your water system and treat it if needed.
Other homes
These homes are the lowest risk from bacteria because there is minimal storage of water and regular high use minimises the risk of stagnant water. Follow our tips below on what else you can do to minimise any risk.
Tips to keep your water safe
Follow these easy steps to maintain water hygiene:
- Keep hot water hot: Make sure your hot water is stored at a minimum of 60°C. (Warning: Hot water can scald, so take care, and always supervise children around taps and showers. If you feel that you or a family member may be at risk of scalding, please contact us.)
- Clean taps and shower heads regularly: Remove limescale and other build up every three months to prevent bacteria growth. Use domestic descaling solutions and sterilise with bleach if needed.
- Flush your system after being away: If you’ve been away for more than a week, run all taps, showers and toilets for a couple of minutes to flush out stagnant water. Start slowly to avoid splashing.
- Avoid contact with taps when rinsing food and other items: This prevents contamination.
- Check water butts and water tanks: Make sure they’re clean, tightly covered, and well-insulated.
- Run garden hoses before use: Flush them for a minute before watering or other activities. Disconnect and drain, any garden hose after use.
- Water safety for hot tubs, jacuzzis and plunge pools: Under normal circumstances you do not need to inform SNG that you have one of these. However, if you have plumbed your hot tub, jacuzzi or plunge pool direct into your home’s water supply, you need to inform us so we can confirm the installation is safe. Once installed, please follow the manufacturer’s instruction on cleaning and maintenance.
By keeping your taps and showers clean, you can also improve water pressure, reduce water usage, and save on energy bills.
If you have a water leak
For leaks outside your home, contact your water supplier.
For leaks inside your home, contact us so we can fix it quickly.
Visit our webpage for more advice on plumbing issues.