Legionella bacteria in water can have serious consequences - protect yourself by testing for legionella!
Legionella testing is not a luxury, it's necessary to ensure your water is safe. The presence of legionella in water is a constant risk and can only be ruled out by legionella testing. Legionella testing ensures that drinking water can safely be used for showering, washing and cleaning. This is because legionella does not enter the human body through food like heavy metals or other pathogens, but is inhaled. If legionella make it into the lungs, serious health problems can occur. Showering and bathing as well as air conditioning, sprinklers and whirlpools carry a particularly high risk.
Contrary to popular opinion, legionella is not just a "swimming pool problem", even though in theory, the risk of infection is greater at a pool. The danger can also lie closer to home - for instance when cleaning, cooking, showering or using air conditioning. All these potential hazards can be found in your own home!
Our test kit enables quick and simple legionella testing that provides assurance in no time. In some cases, infection can even lead to fatal lung infections.
The biggest danger lies in the home - water companies' liability ends at the water meter!
Even though water suppliers are required to provide households with perfectly clean, 'wholesome' tap water, consumers cannot depend on this. Ultimately, the supplier's responsibility ends at the home water meter. Even if up to this point the quality of drinking water complies with government standards and the water is free of legionella and other harmful contaminants, it can still put the consumer at risk. In 99% of cases, contamination occurs in the home. Legionella water testing should therefore be carried out independently, as it is by no means guaranteed that the water supplied by water companies is completely safe.
Legionella water testing: for the safety of the consumer
Legionella testing should be performed on a regular basis. Pathogens can cause huge health problems if respiratory infections arise. Legionnaire's disease, which is caused by legionella bacteria in water, manifests itself as a lung infection and can be fatal. The risk posed by legionella in water is often underestimated - on average 15% of all lung infections caused by legionella end in death. Pontiac fever, the second type of infection caused by legionella in water, is somewhat less dangerous. Because the lungs are not directly affected, fever and flu-like symptoms weaken the sufferer, but disappear after a few days. However, this form of the illness can be particularly dangerous for young children and those with weak immune systems. Therefore legionella testing should be carried out to prevent infection. The legionella test kit quickly and clearly shows if your own tap water could put you at risk and if action needs to be taken.
Legionella in water can multiply rapidly - regulations prescribe strict maximum values
Legionella bacteria tend to dwell in areas with warm water where they can multiply more easily. It is for this reason that incidents of legionella contamination are more frequent at swimming pools or public showers. Legionella testing is carried out in a laboratory with a warm water sample. However, even in cold water, the risk is not completely eliminated. If your cold water stays above 25 °C after being run for a long time, it should undergo legionella testing. The legionella water test kit is primarily intended for testing warm water systems.
Legionella test - gain peace of mind with one simple legionella test!
After ordering our legionella water test, you can send in your water sample extremely easily using our foolproof test kit, and then find out if your water supply is contaminated with harmful pathogens. After sending in your sample and having it tested, you can view the results of your legionella test online using your personal access code. We can gladly offer advice on your test results by phone or email. You can submit the results to your landlord or housing company for further assessment if you wish.
Legionella testing should be carried out frequently
It's better to be safe than sorry, and therefore we recommend carrying out regular legionella testing. UK health and safety laws stipulate that a legionella risk assessment be carried out as soon as drinking water is provided to a third party, and legionella testing performed if there is a cause for concern. However, due to the fact that legionella multiply rapidly in water, it is recommended to carry out legionella testing at more regular intervals. Where necessary, tenants must take a more active role in carrying out legionella testing. After all, health and safety laws do not actually require landlords to have a legionella test certificate.
Guidelines for the testing frequency for managers of public institutions as well as landlords' duties are provided by the HSE. Your local health authority can provide more information.
Do you have more questions concerning legionella in drinking water? We have provided more information in our drinking water blog. Is something still not clear? We would be happy to answer any of your questions!
Don't know which water testing kit is right for you? You can find a comparison of our water analysis kits here.
Tip: in addition to the legionella test, we recommend testing for heavy metals, bacteria/germs and salts. Click here for more information on water testing.