Keeping your council house safe

Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia which can affect anybody. The infection is caught by breathing in tiny droplets of water (aerosols) which contain Legionella bacteria.

Legionella bacteria

Legionella is a bacterium that is naturally occurring in water sources such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs, but usually in very low numbers. Therefore, it is very rare that people contract the disease from this type of water source.

However, as Legionella bacteria is so widespread, it can enter domestic water systems and so all hot and cold water systems in domestic properties are a potential source for Legionella bacteria growth.

How Legionella grows

If conditions are ‘favourable’ in water systems, the bacteria can grow to dangerous levels, increasing the risk of individuals contracting Legionnaires’ disease. These conditions can be summarised as follows:

• water kept at temperatures between 20°C to 45°C
• water allowed to stagnate (including infrequently used water outlets)
• deposits present in the water such as scale, sludge or rust which act as nutrients for the bacteria to feed upon and grow
• situations where breathable droplets of water are created (for example showers, water outlets, splashing, and flushing toilets)

People at risk

Everyone is susceptible to infection. However higher risk groups of people include those over 45 years of age, smokers, heavy drinkers, people suffering from respiratory or kidney disease and people with an impaired immune system.
 
However, not everyone who is exposed to the bacteria contracts the disease and Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious between one person and another. In addition, you cannot contract the disease by drinking water.

Catching Legionnaires’ disease

People contract the disease by breathing in tiny aerosol droplets of water which are suspended in the air, which contain legionella bacteria.
 
The symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are very similar to flu-type symptoms: 

• high temperatures
• fevers, chills, dry cough
• headaches, muscle pains
• tiredness

The disease can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.
 

Reducing the risk of Legionella

It must be stressed that the risk of Legionella causing illness from small domestic water systems is very low. However, we recommend you observe the following simple precautions and good water hygiene practice which will reduce the risk even further:

• make sure your shower and all water taps are used or flushed through for at least one minute, at least once per week
• for any outlets that have not been used for a prolonged period of time (for example after you return from a holiday), flush the system through for at least two minutes before use
• descale and disinfect your showerhead monthly to prevent the build-up of lime scale, mould and algae growth in/on the head
• always flush the toilet with the lid in the closed position

Keep hot water stored at a minimum temperature of 60°c as this will kill any legionella bacteria. However, please take care with hot water and be aware of scalding risks.

If you are a council tenant and your hot water is not heating properly, or you discover any other problems with your heating or water system, please contact our customer services using the details at the bottom of this page. 

If you think you may have contracted Legionnaires’ disease

If you or someone in your home develops the symptoms described in this page and you suspect it may be Legionnaires’ disease, contact a doctor immediately. If Legionnaires’ disease is diagnosed, please inform the council immediately using the details at the bottom of this page.

More information

You can obtain further information and advice on Legionella on the Health and Safety Executive’s website.