The Importance of Monitoring Water Usage to Prevent Waterborne Pathogens

Water safety is something we often take for granted, for most people they don’t even give a thought about the water coming out of their taps, but behind the scenes, there’s a lot of work that goes into keeping our water clean and safe to use. One major challenge to ensuring public safety is preventing waterborne pathogens, like Legionella, from developing in pipes and outlets. When water sits still for too long, it can create the perfect environment for harmful bacteria to grow. That’s why keeping an eye on how often water outlets (like taps and showers) are used is so important.

Why Traditional Monitoring Methods Fall Short

Historically, water safety has relied on manual checks—things like routine flushing of taps and measuring water temperature. While these steps are necessary, they come with some big challenges:

1. Time-Consuming & Labour-Intensive – Staff need to physically go to each outlet and log usage, which takes time and effort.

2. Human Error – Mistakes can happen, and if someone forgets to check or record data, the risk of contamination increases.

3. Inconsistent Data – It’s hard to get a full picture of water usage when you’re only checking at certain times.

Latest guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – HSG274 highlights how important it is to flush taps and showers regularly to prevent bacteria buildup. But without a way to track exactly how often an outlet is used, it’s difficult to know if these precautions are actually working.

How UK Legislation is Addressing the Issue

The UK government recognises the challenges of manual water monitoring. That’s why new legislation*  requires those responsible for buildings to consider continuously monitoring water quality, rather than relying on occasional checks. This shift acknowledges that real-time data systems can be essential for keeping water safe. Similarly, this mandates the use of digital monitoring technology to help track trends and be used to form the content of risk assessments and schemes of control – both of which are required to comply with the HSE’s guidance.

While temperature plays a crucial role in preventing bacterial growth in water systems, water movement is arguably even more important in keeping water safe. Stagnant water creates the perfect conditions for harmful pathogens, like Legionella, to multiply, regardless of temperature. Even if water is kept within the recommended temperature range, if it isn’t flowing regularly, biofilm can develop inside pipes and fittings, providing a breeding ground for dangerous microbes. Regular water movement disrupts biofilm formation, flushes out contaminants, and ensures that disinfectants, like chlorine, remain effective. Without consistent flow, even a well-maintained temperature control system can fall short in preventing bacterial buildup. That’s why tracking water usage and ensuring outlets are used regularly is just as—if not more—important than monitoring temperature alone when it comes to water safety.

*Guidance for End Users on Remote Temperature Monitoring Systems - Part Two Interpretation and Management of Data - W046-12 May 2024 (see points 12 & 13/ 33 and point 3 of 34)

The Solution: Digital Remote Water Monitoring

The good news? Technology is making it easier to monitor water usage effectively. Digital remote water monitoring systems use smart sensors to track water flow and temperature in real time. 

These systems can:

✅ Detect when an outlet hasn’t been used for a while, signalling the need for flushing.

✅ Monitor temperature fluctuations to help prevent bacterial growth.

✅ Automatically collect and store data, reducing human error and saving time.

By switching to digital monitoring, businesses and facilities can ensure compliance with UK regulations while making water safety simpler and more reliable.

Final Thoughts

While traditional water monitoring methods have been useful, they’re not perfect. Digital remote monitoring offers a smarter way to prevent waterborne pathogens, reducing risks and ensuring cleaner, safer water for everyone. As UK regulations push for more advanced solutions, it’s time to embrace technology to protect public health and make water management easier and less costly.

Would you like help finding the right digital water monitoring solution for your facility? Let’s chat! 🚰💧