Control
Water-Quality Monitoring
Sampling, testing and surveillance of potable or service water quality.
Documents
- 2025Nov
Water Management
Inspection guidance for assessing offshore dutyholders’ potable-water arrangements and legionella controls. It covers system-wide risk assessment, written control schemes, hose disinfection, biocide dosing and chemical and microbiological monitoring. Success criteria, performance scoring and enforcement expectations support inspectors’ judgements on legal compliance and occupational health protection.
- 2020Sep
Guidelines for Environmental Health for Offshore Installations
This addendum addresses potable-water management on offshore installations, including normally unmanned assets. It covers storage, bunkering, disinfection, Legionella control, sampling and emergency recovery. Chemical treatment, ultraviolet disinfection and pasteurisation are distinguished, alongside laboratory and field testing, written control schemes, competence assurance and management of change.
- 201715 Dec
Two cases of contaminated drinking water
Two incidents concern bacterial contamination in vessel fresh-water systems and office drinking water. Testing identified increased bacterial counts, while inspections and enquiries found neglected cleaning of tanks, dispensers and pumps. Actions included changing the drinking-water supplier, cleaning equipment, recommending scheduled cleaning and tank inspections, and avoiding reuse of drinking-water bottles.
- 201711 May
Freedom Industries Chemical Release
Investigates the Freedom Industries chemical spill in Charleston, West Virginia, where internal tank-floor pitting corrosion released a mixture into the Elk River and public water supply. Examines deteriorated secondary containment, inspection deficiencies, treatment limitations, water testing, emergency communication and regulatory gaps, with recommendations for source-water protection and contamination response.
- 2013Nov
Legionnaires' disease. The control of legionella bacteria in water systems
This Approved Code of Practice and accompanying guidance address legionella risks in water systems. They explain dutyholder responsibilities, whole-system risk assessment, competence and written control schemes. Prevention addresses bacterial proliferation and aerosol exposure, supported by maintenance, water-quality testing, interpretation of results and retention of monitoring records.
- 201227 Jul
Management of the risks from legionella in cooling towers and evaporative condensers
HSE alerts operators of cooling towers and evaporative condensers to recurring weaknesses in legionella risk control identified through a review of UK outbreaks. It emphasises site-specific control schemes, regular cleaning, chemical and biological monitoring, specialist interpretation of results, competent personnel and clear contractor responsibilities, with senior management oversight.
- 2011Jul
OCE15 - Potable water and legionella control
Guidance for offshore dutyholders on preventing potable-water contamination and legionella exposure. It addresses system design, temperature control, bunkering-hose hygiene, automated biocide dosing and scheduled water testing. Tank cleaning precautions, respiratory protection, chemical handling, maintenance records, dermatitis surveillance and worker training are also covered.