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Legionella bacteria occur naturally in rives and streams, sometimes making their way into you home's water supply. They aren't a problem if you take the necessary precautionary measures, such as keeping your hot water at 50c or higher and avoiding the build-up of stagnant water in your pipes. Legionella bacteria, if inhaled, leads to a respiratory disease called Legionnaire's disease. 

CGA will:

  • Regularly check all your homes t ensure they are safe and well maintained.
  • Complete assessments on all homes to check legionella risk levels.
  • If we decide your home is high-risk, we will make sure that monthly water temperature checks are done, and put in place a legionella risk assessment which will be reviwed every two years.

What you need to do:

To keep your home safe from legionella, you should:

  • Clean your shower head quarterly (at least once every three months).
  • Avoid allowing water to sit unused in pipes or tanks for long periods. 
  • Run taps and showers regularly, especially in properties that are unoccupied for a while. If you have been away from your home for longer than a week, run your taps and water outlets for at least two minutes.
  • Empty garden hoses after use.
  • Keep any water butts clean and out of direct sunlight where possible. Regularly empty the water, especially over summer, and only use the water for watering plants.
  • Do not lower your hot water temperature.
 Legionella bacteria can multiply in water when the temperature is between 20°C and 45°C. To reduce the risk, it is important to keep your hot water at a safe temperature: 

  • If your hot water is stored in a tank, the temperature should be between 60°C and 65°C. 
  • If your hot water is heated by a gas boiler, the temperature should be above 50°C. 

Contact us for advice if you notice your hot water is not reaching the right temperature. If you spot any pipes that do not lead to an appliance, such as to a washing machine, please contact us as these will need to be removed. 

If you have any questions or are worried about legionella in your home, you can contact us on 0800 953 0213 (option 1) or email customerservices@communitygateway.co.uk