The water supplied to your home by the water board is intended to be clean and bacteria-free, but particularly where water is stored, this is not always possible as bacteria can grow under certain conditions.

Legionella bacteria, for example, can be found and although in small quantities this may not pose a public health risk, it could become a problem if the stored water is stagnant and the water temperature

The likelihood of Legionella in your home is very low, as most households do not store huge amounts of water as it’s usually used regularly, so it won’t have been left standing still in tanks and pipes.

However, Barnet Homes and Opendoor Homes work diligently to ensure the water quality in your home is good at all times. Where we have large storage tanks, we carry out surveys and risk assessments, which sometimes result in works such as testing and/or cleaning, and in some cases storage tank renewal.

Some tips to make sure the water in your home is safe

Keep your taps and shower heads clean

  • Legionella bacteria can grow and multiply on scale (the crusty white deposits that tend to appear around the tap outlet)
  • You should de-scale taps and shower heads every three months. The harder the water in your area, the more frequently you should de-scale
  • Clean the taps on your bath and sink by brushing the scale off with a nylon brush or wiping them with a diluted bleach or de-scaling solution found in most hardware shops.

Use taps once a week

  • Always use the taps in your home at least once a week
  • If you have not been at home or have been away on holiday, always ensure you run the cold water taps for at least five minutes when you return prior to use.

New residents

  • If you have just moved in to a new home, you are advised to heat the hot water cylinder for at least one hour before you first use the hot water. This is particularly important, as in some instances, water services may have been disconnected during the time the property has been empty.

Is your hot water set at the right temperature?

  • The temperature thermostat on your hot water storage vessel (calorifier) should be set to store water at 60 degrees Celsius to deter Legionella
  • Please do not alter the thermostat settings for your hot water after they have been set
  • If you have a hot water problem and your water is heated by a gas boiler or an electrical immersion heater, please contact us using the details below.

Email: talktous@barnethomes.org

Phone: 020 8080 6587

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations, play an important role in protecting public health, safeguarding water supplies and promoting the efficient use of water within customers’ premises across the UK.

They set legal requirements for the design, installation, operation and maintenance of plumbing systems, water fittings and water-using appliances. They have a specific purpose to prevent misuse, waste, undue consumption or erroneous measurement of water and, most importantly, to prevent contamination of drinking water. Barnet Homes will follow these regulations when carrying out work in your home.