Chlorination of Water Systems, Mains Water Pipework and Water Tanks

Chlorination of Water Systems, Mains Water Pipework and Water Tanks

The cleaning, disinfection and chlorination of water systems is an essential activity that helps maintain the necessary standards of water hygiene. This is particularly important in domestic and commercial water systems where microbial contamination can result in serious problems if not treated. Cleaning and chlorination involve the addition of chlorine. Chlorine is a low cost yet extremely efficient and effective disinfectant. At Water Hygiene Services our engineers measure the required concentration in relation to the volume of water.

Chlorination of Water Systems

By chlorinating water systems we are able to kill dangerous waterborne pathogens including Pseudomonas and Legionella bacteria. Bacteria can contaminate water systems in various ways including developing in the water system outlets, distribution pipework and water storage tanks.

A History of Water Treatment with Chlorine

Water treatment with chlorine has been used to clean and disinfect water systems in the UK for well over one hundred years. Chlorine forms an important disinfection process in a number of key standards including BS EN 806-5:2012, BS8558:2011 and BS PD 855468:2015. These British Standards deal with the design, installation, testing, operation, cleaning, disinfection and maintenance of drinking water services inside buildings.

Process when water is contaminated

If a water tank or water system is contaminated and bacteria such a legionella is suspected then urgent sampling is required. At Water Hygiene Services, our engineers arrive on site and take a water sample which is then sent to the laboratory for analysis. This sample determines whether microbial contamination has occurred. Following this water sample the next step is full cleaning and chlorination of the water systems. At this point full system chlorination is initiated by our engineers.

Legionella risk assessment

When a Legionella risk assessment report recommends chlorination of a water system this should be carried out without delay. This very often includes cleaning and chlorination of the water systems, distribution pipework and water tank, however the report will specify the exact requirements.

Chlorination for New water Systems

Chlorination is a fundamental and necessary step before a new or refurbished hot and cold water services installation is connected.

The procedures for flushing, disinfection and chlorination of water systems originally came under BS 8558 .However they are now included in the 2015 British Standards document PD 855468.

If you would like to discuss a water chlorination please contact us.