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lisar  
#1 Posted : 27 August 2019 15:02:39(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
lisar

I am trained in Legionella Risk assessment and have carried out some Comprehensive Risk assessments previously but never one involving feed from a water well. I have looked through L8 and HSG274 and can’t seem to find much detail on Private Water supplies such as Wells. Is there a document for this or anywhere where there is extra guidance on this. In particular I wish to know if the local Water authority have any specific duties. The area is close to a canal.
RayRapp  
#2 Posted : 27 August 2019 17:54:19(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
RayRapp

I'm not a legionella expert, but I seriously doubt there would be any real risk of contamination from a water well. For starters, bacteria to grow the water needs to be 20-50c and I doubt any well or underground pipe will reach that temperature.  

thanks 1 user thanked RayRapp for this useful post.
A Kurdziel on 02/09/2019(UTC)
Roundtuit  
#3 Posted : 27 August 2019 18:33:40(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Groundwater will typically be too cold to support most pathogens

Inspired by your post I had a quick internet search and seemingly bore holes come under the Private Water Supply Regulations http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/3101/contents/made unless the water provider specifically owns them - by example Thames Water relies upon borehole water

Happy reading (I would check for changes to legislation given these regulations are 10 years old)

Adding another link http://www.filterclean.co.uk/Private_water_regulations.asp

Edited by user 27 August 2019 18:35:34(UTC)  | Reason: extra link

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
lisar on 28/08/2019(UTC), lisar on 28/08/2019(UTC)
Roundtuit  
#4 Posted : 27 August 2019 18:33:40(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Groundwater will typically be too cold to support most pathogens

Inspired by your post I had a quick internet search and seemingly bore holes come under the Private Water Supply Regulations http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/3101/contents/made unless the water provider specifically owns them - by example Thames Water relies upon borehole water

Happy reading (I would check for changes to legislation given these regulations are 10 years old)

Adding another link http://www.filterclean.co.uk/Private_water_regulations.asp

Edited by user 27 August 2019 18:35:34(UTC)  | Reason: extra link

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
lisar on 28/08/2019(UTC), lisar on 28/08/2019(UTC)
Xavier123  
#5 Posted : 28 August 2019 14:21:57(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Xavier123

BS8580 makes the explicit point that risks are higher of contamination for water entering a system from a natural source, such as a river, lake or spring, or private water supply, rather than a treated and disinfected mains water supply.

The temperature of the water at point of entry to system (unless over 60 degrees) is irrelevant. Under 20 legionella doesn't perish, it simply doesn't grow. Unless you know the water course etc. in detail then assumptions can't be made.

I have always treated private water supplies as higher risk. As above, there are separate requirements around water quality and part of the risk assessment process should be an examination of the source water quality - including typical microbial content and growth risk factors such as nutrient content etc. The duties to check this sit with the owner of the supply but the owner of the water system needs to include additional control measures as necessary to check incoming water quality within their written scheme.

thanks 1 user thanked Xavier123 for this useful post.
lisar on 28/08/2019(UTC)
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