Protect your residents.
Safeguard your reputation.
Legionella risk management for care homes and health providers
Water Hygiene Services for the Care Home industry
It’s simple. We specialise in keeping water systems safe.
In care homes and supported living settings, water safety is not just a compliance issue, it’s a critical part of resident care.
Older adults and those with underlying health conditions and weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to Legionella bacteria, which can cause Legionnaires’ disease - a serious and potentially fatal form of pneumonia
Are your water systems safe?
All man-made hot and cold water systems are likely to provide an environment where Legionella can grow.
High risk environments include:
❖ Storage tanks
❖ Water heaters
❖ Showers, taps and bathing facilities
❖ Cooling towers
Proactive water management helps remove risk, safeguard residents and ensure compliance with HSE and CQC regulations.
How we can support you
Professional management of water systems
We work with facilities teams to ensure you are compliant, trained and have the support you need.
Experts in supporting the care home industry
We support and guide a range of care home organisations, trusted with ensuring the safety of water hygiene and compliance.
Supporting health providers to remain compliant
We ensure landlords are confident in their water hygiene compliance process.
Why choose us?
For more than 30 years, we’ve delivered trusted water management services to ensure compliance with Health and Safety guidelines.
We understand the needs of health and social care providers, and deliver water safety solutions that prioritise resident wellbeing and build confidence across your care team.
❖ Risk Assessments
❖ Water sampling and analysis
❖ Chlorination and disinfection
❖ Routine and planned maintenance
❖ Thermostatic mixing valves (TMV)
❖ Servicing and remedial plumbing works
❖ Tank cleaning, installation and modifications
Sherpa Water Management is committed to providing high-quality Legionella control services in full compliance with the HSE Guidance, and is a member of the Legionella Control Association (LCA).
The Company is certified to BS EN ISO 9001: 2015, BS EN 14001:2015 & BS EN ISO 45001+A1:2024, CHAS, Constructionline, Safecontractor & BSI Members.
About us
For more than 30 years, we’ve delivered trusted water management services to ensure compliance with Health and Safety guidelines. We work discreetly and efficiently, offering independent and impartial consultancy services, to reduce the risk of Legionella.
Our water hygiene services include:
● Risk Assessments
● Water sampling and analysis
● Chlorination and disinfection
● Routine and planned maintenance
● Thermostatic mixing valves (TMV) servicing
● Servicing and remedial plumbing works
● Tank cleaning, installation and modifications
Any questions?
Here are the most common questions relating to managing legionella control, if you have any questions, you can book a call with us to see how we can help.
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Legionella is a type of bacteria that can cause Legionnaires' disease, a severe pneumonia-like illness. It thrives in warm water environments, such as hot tubs, cooling towers, and poorly maintained water tanks.
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Legionella bacteria spread through inhalation of aerosolised water droplets containing the bacteria. This can occur from showers, faucets, cooling towers, and other water systems where water is dispersed into the air.
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Symptoms typically include cough, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle aches, and headaches. In severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia and even be life-threatening, especially for those with weakened immune systems.
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To prevent Legionella growth, it's essential to:
Regularly clean and disinfect water tanks.
Maintain proper water temperature (below 20°C or above 60°C).
Ensure good water circulation and avoid stagnation.
Conduct routine inspections and testing for Legionella.
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Water tanks should generally be cleaned and disinfected at least once a year. However, the frequency may vary based on usage, water quality, and specific regulations in your area.
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Regulations vary by region, but many jurisdictions require regular risk assessments, maintenance of water systems, and documentation of cleaning and testing for Legionella to ensure public health safety.
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If Legionella is detected, immediate action is required. This typically involves cleaning and disinfecting the affected system, conducting follow-up testing, and implementing measures to prevent future growth. https://www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/legionella-landlords-responsibilities.htm
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Professional water management ensures that systems are properly maintained, reducing the risk of Legionella growth. Experts can provide the necessary cleaning, testing, and compliance documentation to keep your water systems safe.
You can find more detailed guidance on your duties in the Approved Code of Practice and guidance on regulations
Legionnaires' disease: The control of legionella bacteria in water systems (L8).
“We've been extremely pleased with the exceptional service provided by Sherpa Environmental. Their expertise in water hygiene services has been invaluable for our extensive portfolio at the NHS.
They handle the challenging, awkward tasks with ease, delivering quality results at times of need and will go over and beyond to help keep us compliant.
Sherpa Environmental’ s professionalism and commitment to high standards make them a trusted partner, and I highly recommend their services to any organisation looking for reliable, specialised or bespoke water hygiene solutions”
— Hannah O’Brien, Director of Operations
QTS (Wholly owned by CNWL NHS Foundation Trust)
Talk to us
If you are looking for compliance support and need help with legionella risk assessment, legionella testing, or any other water care services, our team of experts can support you. We can guide you through the process and assist with the management of your water systems.