The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) plays a vital role in safeguarding residents' health and well-being by identifying and mitigating potential hazards within domestic properties.
Nailing down key strategies for preventing water supply problems within properties ultimately contributes to safer and healthier living environments and protects your agency from fines.
The HHSRS helps local authorities protect against potential risks to health and safety from deficiencies identified in residential properties. Addressing these will make housing safer. Water supply is dealt with in hazard 18 of the HHSRS.
The quality and adequacy of the water supply within a property for drinking and domestic purposes, such as cooking, washing, cleaning, and sanitation, are covered by this hazard. It also includes threats to health from contamination by bacteria, parasites, viruses, and chemical pollutants.
Legionella is a bacteria found in natural water systems, such as rivers and ponds. When small droplets of water containing the bacteria are inhaled, it can cause Legionnaires' disease, a serious form of pneumonia. However, the conditions are very rarely right for people to catch the disease from these sources.
Outbreaks of Legionella normally occur from exposure to the bacteria in purpose-built water storage systems where conditions encourage growth. These include hot and cold water systems, ventilation systems, cooling towers, and evaporative condensers.
Legionella generally thrives between 20ºC and 45ºC and can be dispersed into the air during showers, and although rare, this is the most common route for transmission of Legionnaires' disease in homes.
The provision and maintenance of water pipework and storage facilities are key for preventing various hazards assessed under the HHSRS. Compliance with current standards is imperative. In this case, it's the BS EN 806, which are specifications for installations inside buildings conveying water for human consumption, and BS 8558, which is a guide to the design, installation, testing and maintenance of services supplying water for domestic use within buildings and their curtilages.
These standards provide guidance on materials selection, system design, and installation practices. This means the property manager can ensure pipes and fittings are suitable and resistant to corrosion as well as the right size to maintain adequate water pressure.
The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 are a cornerstone of ensuring safe and efficient water systems. They apply to all plumbing systems, water fittings, and equipment connected to the public water supply.
The regulations aim to prevent contamination of the public water supply. This is achieved by setting strict requirements for water fittings' materials, design, installation, and maintenance. Plumbing systems must meet the requirements set out by these regulations.
Stored private drinking water supplies drawn from natural sources, such as those from wells, boreholes, or springs, should be regularly sampled and analysed. These supplies can be vulnerable to contamination from various sources, including agricultural runoff, sewage, and natural contaminants. Frequent monitoring will assist in safeguarding residents’ health.
Water tanks should be covered to prevent contamination. Using a physical barrier will prevent the entry of birds, insects, rodents, vermin, and debris. Many of these can leave droppings and introduce harmful bacteria, diseases, or parasites into the water.
The materials for pipework, storage tanks, and fittings should be appropriate to ensure the safety, longevity, and efficiency of a water supply system.
Materials should be non-toxic, resist corrosion to prevent contamination, and withstand the pressures, temperatures, and chemical properties of the water being conveyed.
Proper maintenance of water filters and softening systems is essential. Filters can remove contaminants like sediment, chlorine, and heavy metals, so regular maintenance ensures they function effectively.
Meanwhile, softeners remove minerals that cause hardness, preventing scale buildup and improving water efficiency.
Ensuring a safe and adequate water supply within residential properties is paramount for protecting your occupiers' health. The HHSRS identifies water quality as a critical hazard. It also recommends regular sampling and analysis of private water supplies, the proper covering of storage tanks, the use of appropriate materials, and the diligent maintenance of filters and softening systems.
A proactive approach to water supply management not only minimises the potential for health risks but also contributes to the creation of safer and healthier living environments for all.
When Gemma is not writing at work, her main hobby is writing at home. Entertainment is her bag, lapping up every new film and TV series with ferocity. She is always on the lookout for a new pastime, having experimented with dance, baking and bass guitar.
