Enviroteam provides professional Legionella risk assessments for commercial, industrial and public-sector organisations across the UK. Our assessments identify and evaluate risks associated with Legionella bacteria within your water systems, helping you meet your legal obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH).
Conducted by experienced, certified members of the Legionella Control Association every assessment is thorough, clearly documented and designed to form the foundation of your water safety management programme.
Legionella Risk Assessment
What is a Legionella Risk Assessment?
A Legionella risk assessment is a systematic review of your water systems to identify sources of risk, evaluate existing control measures, and recommend actions to reduce the likelihood of Legionella bacteria growing and spreading.
Under UK health and safety law, duty holders - including employers, landlords and building managers are legally required to identify and assess risks from Legionella in any premises they control where a water system could present a risk to health.
HSE guidance (ACoP L8 and HSG274) requires that:
Potential sources of Legionella risk are identified
The likelihood of exposure is assessed
Existing controls are reviewed for effectiveness
A Written Scheme of Control must be in place detailing the control of all water systems
A Legionella risk assessment is not a one-off task. Assessments should be reviewed regularly and immediately following significant changes to your water systems, building use, or occupancy.
What's included
What our Legionella risk assessment covers
A comprehensive, system-wide assessment aligned with ACoP L8 and HSG274 — the foundation for compliant, defensible Legionella management.
Water System Survey
A full inspection of your hot and cold water systems, storage tanks, calorifiers, cooling towers, distribution pipework and any other water-bearing assets — identifying design features and operational conditions that could present a risk.
Legionella Risk Identification
Assessment of conditions that could promote bacterial growth, including water temperatures outside safe ranges, areas of stagnation or low usage, dead legs, and the presence of scale, sediment or biofilm.
Review of Existing Controls
Evaluation of your current control measures, monitoring records, Written Scheme of Control, and management arrangements, identifying gaps or areas requiring improvement.
Population at Risk
Assessment of who could be exposed to Legionella risk from your systems, including building occupants, staff, visitors and vulnerable individuals such as the elderly or immunocompromised.
Schematic Water System Drawings
Production or update of water system schematics to accurately map the distribution network, identifying critical control points and areas of concern.
Written Assessment Report
A comprehensive, clearly structured report documenting all findings, risk ratings, and prioritised recommendations, suitable for audit, regulatory inspection and use as the basis for your Written Scheme of Control.
Who needs Legionella management
Anyone responsible for a water system
If your organisation operates buildings with hot and cold water systems, cooling towers or other risk equipment, you have a legal duty to manage Legionella risk regardless of size or sector.
Our process
How we carry out a Legionella risk assessment
A structured, five-step process designed to deliver a clear, defensible assessment with the documentation you need for compliance and operational confidence.
Step 1
Site Survey Appointment
We arrange a convenient date to visit your premises. Our assessor will need access to all areas containing water systems, plant rooms, roof spaces and any other relevant areas.
Step 2
On-Site Assessment
A thorough, systematic inspection of your water systems — reviewing design, condition, temperatures, control measures and records. We ask questions about system management, maintenance history and building usage.
Step 3
Risk Evaluation
We evaluate the risks identified, considering likelihood, severity and the population at risk. Risk ratings are assigned in line with HSE guidance.
Step 4
Written Assessment Report
A detailed written report covering all findings, risk ratings and a prioritised action plan — provided in a format suitable for audit and regulatory review.
Step 5
Debrief & Recommendations
We discuss findings with you, answer your questions, and recommend next steps — including any immediate actions required and appropriate monitoring and control programmes.
Your legal duties
The UK Legionella compliance framework
Legionella control isn’t optional — it’s governed by a clear set of UK legal duties and HSE guidance. Here’s what applies to your organisation.
Health and Safety at Work Act
HSWA 1974The foundation of UK health and safety law. Section 3 places a duty on employers to ensure that people not in their employment are not exposed to risks — explicitly including Legionella.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
COSHH 2002Requires employers to assess and control risks from hazardous substances, including biological agents such as Legionella. Underpins the duty to assess and document Legionella risk.
Approved Code of Practice L8
ACoP L8The statutory code for controlling Legionella in water systems. Sets out duties for Duty Holders, Responsible Persons, risk assessment, written schemes and record keeping.
- Identify and assess risk
- Implement control measures
- Keep records of monitoring and actions
HSE Technical Guidance
HSG274Detailed technical guidance covering three parts: evaporative cooling systems, hot and cold water systems, and other risk systems — the practical reference for control measures.
- Part 1: Cooling systems
- Part 2: Hot & cold water
- Part 3: Other risk systems
Not sure where you stand? Our team can review your current arrangements against ACoP L8 and HSG274 and identify any compliance gaps.
Request a compliance reviewWhat comes next
A risk assessment is just the starting point
A risk assessment identifies what needs to be done. Enviroteam can then help you act on the findings through our wider range of water safety services.
An integrated approach. Because we understand your systems from the ground up, follow-on services are more effective — and you get a consistent compliance record across every water safety activity, all from one provider.
-
Water Quality Monitoring
Routine temperature checks, outlet servicing and system inspections.
-
Water Hygiene Services
Cooling tower cleaning, cold water tank cleaning and hygiene surveys.
-
Water Treatment
Chemical dosing, disinfection and treatment programmes.
-
Water Engineering & Remedial Works
Dead leg removal, pipework upgrades and system refurbishment.
-
Legionella Training
Responsible Person and Awareness training for your team.
Need expert Legionella support?
Speak to our team about water safety, hygiene and compliance for your site. As an LCA Certified Member, we deliver to the industry's recognised standards. No obligation, just straight answers.
FAQ
Common Questions
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Speak directly to one of our Legionella specialists.
-
A Legionella risk assessment is a systematic inspection and review of your water systems to identify conditions that could allow Legionella bacteria to grow, assess the risk of exposure, and recommend control measures. It is required under UK health and safety legislation for most non-domestic premises.
-
Yes. UK law requires duty holders to identify and assess risks from Legionella in water systems under their control. This obligation applies to employers, landlords and building managers under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and COSHH Regulations 2002. HSE guidance (ACoP L8) sets out how this duty should be fulfilled.
-
There is no fixed statutory interval, but HSE guidance recommends that assessments are reviewed at least every two years, and immediately following significant changes to water systems, building use, or occupancy. Where systems are complex or higher risk, more frequent review may be appropriate.
-
The assessment must be carried out by a competent person — someone with the knowledge, skills and experience to assess the risk and understand the relevant guidance. Using an LCA-accredited provider such as Enviroteam gives you confidence that assessments meet recognised industry standards and are conducted by independently assessed specialists.
-
Any water system that could create a risk of Legionella exposure: including hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, evaporative condensers, spa pools, water features, and other systems that may create water droplets or aerosols. Our assessors identify all relevant systems during the site survey.
-
You receive a written report setting out all findings, risk ratings and prioritised recommendations. Where corrective actions are required, our team can advise on appropriate next steps including; monitoring, hygiene, engineering works or training. Enviroteam can support you through every stage of implementation.
-
Yes. Where required, Enviroteam can produce a Written Scheme of Control based on the findings of the risk assessment. This document sets out the specific control measures, responsibilities, monitoring frequency and action levels for managing Legionella risk in your water systems.
-
Yes. We provide multi-site programmes for property portfolios, local authorities, hotel groups and other organisations managing Legionella compliance across multiple premises. All assessment records are produced consistently to support centralised reporting and audit.
-
Duration depends on the size and complexity of the site and its water systems. A straightforward office or commercial premises may take a few hours; larger or more complex sites such as hospitals, hotels or industrial facilities may require a full day or more. We will advise on expected duration once we have details of your site.
-
Yes. Enviroteam provides Legionella risk assessment services across the UK for commercial, industrial and public-sector clients.