Water safety checks
Before you move into one of our homes, we check them thoroughly for water safety.
When you move into your home you will receive a water safety leaflet. You will also see warning signs and advice stickers.
If your home has been empty for a couple of weeks or more there is a small risk of legionella bacteria developing in the hot and cold-water systems.
Why water safety matters
Legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a form of pneumonia, which is potentially fatal. It is caused when droplets of water containing the bacteria are inhaled e.g. spray from a shower or taps.
Although the risk of contracting Legionnaire’s Disease is really low, certain people are at a higher risk, these include:
- People over the age of 45
- Smokers and heavy drinkers
- People with chronic respiratory or kidney disease
- Anyone with an impaired immune system
What we do
If your home has a stored water installation, we will do these checks every five years. For properties without a stored water installation there is a lower risk, so we sample 1% of these properties every year.
We assess all homes identifying any risks and preventative measures to improve water safety. We carry out checks including water monitoring, sampling and testing.
How often we do this depends on the risks we have identified following assessment.
We will always write to you ahead of the date of your water check. So, if your appointment isn’t convenient you have plenty of time to let us know and rebook for a time that suits you better. To rebook your gas appointment, you can:
- Email info@torus.co.uk
- Call us on 0800 678 1894
Please try to let us know ahead of the date of your original appointment so that we don’t turn up as planned.
Allowing access to your home: It’s a condition of your tenancy agreement to allow access for water checks If you don’t allow our contractor into your home to carry out your safety check, you may be putting your life and those of your family and neighbours at risk. As a result, we can take legal action to make you comply.
What do you need to do?
- Please read the water safety information we provide.
- Follow the steps below when your home has been empty for a period of time.
If you have any questions or concerns or need any advice and support please call us, we will do our best to help.
Water safety advice
Useful tips and information to keep you and your family safe.
Although the risk of Legionella is very low, it’s best to be safe and minimise any risk.
Taking the following simple precautions will help keep you safe:
- Flush through showers and taps for 10 minutes following a period of non-use (i.e. after you have been on holiday or if a room is not in regular use).
- Keep all shower heads and taps clean and free from a build-up of lime scale, mould or algae growth - you should clean them every 3 to 6 months.
- Flush the toilet at last twice to circulate fresh water.
- Keep hot water on your boiler system at a safe temperature (50°C or greater).
- Avoid hanging damp dishcloths over taps.
If your home has been empty for a couple of weeks or more, we advise:
- Running the hot water tap for a minimum of 60 seconds.
- Remove the showerhead and run water for at least ten minutes.
- Flush the toilet twice to circulate fresh water.
Find out more at: www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/what-is.htm