Water hygiene in Glasgow
Glasgow's sandstone tenements, West End HMOs and large student and healthcare estates make up much of the city's housing and public stock. Shared tanks in tenement closes and long vertical pipe runs are typical risk points.
Scottish tenement buildings often share cold water storage and have long vertical risers, and the private rented sector here is expected to show that legionella risk has been assessed.
Why local water matters
Water in Glasgow is generally soft. Softer water produces less limescale, but it can be more corrosive to older metal pipework, and corrosion products and biofilm still need managing through good temperature control and regular flushing.
The rules that apply in Glasgow
Legionella and water hygiene. In Scotland, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, COSHH 2002 and HSE's ACoP L8 and HSG274 apply. Private landlords are also expected to assess legionella risk as part of the repairing standard.
Local enforcement. In Glasgow, legionella law is enforced by Glasgow City Council's environmental health team for offices, shops, hotels, restaurants and leisure premises, and by HSE for factories, warehouses, hospitals, schools and council-run premises.
Who we help in Glasgow
- Private landlords, letting agents and HMO operators
- Freeholders and managing agents of blocks of flats
- Offices, shops and commercial landlords
- Schools, colleges and student accommodation
- Care homes, GP surgeries and dental practices
- Hotels, guest houses and holiday lets
- Factories, warehouses and industrial estates