Water softeners reduce scale but can increase Legionella risk if not correctly maintained. Softened water should not be stored at temperatures that favour Legionella growth, and ion-exchange resin beds require regular regeneration and periodic disinfection to prevent bacterial colonisation.
Why this matters
Many care homes in hard-water areas have water softeners but have not had them included in their L8 risk assessment. A softener resin bed that has not been serviced or disinfected can become a Legionella reservoir and softened water flowing through the system at low temperature is an additional risk factor.
What to do
- 1Confirm your water softener is included in your L8 risk assessment and that the risk assessment specifically addresses resin bed contamination risk.
- 2Ensure resin bed regeneration is carried out at the frequency specified by the manufacturer log each regeneration cycle.
- 3Commission a resin bed disinfection at least annually or whenever the softener is serviced retain the service report.
- 4Check that softened water is not supplied to any outlet where it is not appropriate softened water should not be used for drinking or cooking.
Primary source
HSE Legionella and Water Softeners: Technical Guidance
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