Hydrosense, a developer of rapid Legionella testing solutions, is urging plumbers and installers to turn their existing water safety expertise into a new revenue stream as awareness of Legionella grows among commercial operators and consumers.
Rising cases and growing awareness
According to Hydrosense, cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the UK and around the world have risen notably in recent years. The company attributes this to factors such as climate change, evolving water usage patterns and ageing infrastructure, which continue to create more favourable conditions for the bacterium to thrive.
The result, it says, is growing awareness of the risks posed by Legionella among commercial operators and consumers alike, together with increasing demand for practical, expert advice on how to prevent associated problems before they arise.
Hydrosense argues that this presents an opportunity for plumbers and installers, who already work directly with the water systems and infrastructure that can influence Legionella risk.
Water safety as an extension of the installer’s role
Greg Rankin, CEO at Hydrosense, said: “The role of the plumber and installer has evolved significantly over recent years. Customers increasingly expect more than simply an installation or repair – they want advice, reassurance and expertise.
“Water safety is a natural extension of this. Every time a plumber designs, installs, services or repairs a water system, there are decisions being made that can influence its ongoing performance and, potentially, the conditions in which Legionella can thrive. Simple considerations around flow, temperature, recirculation and avoiding unnecessary dead legs can all form part of a more proactive approach to water safety.”
Testing before and after work
Hydrosense is advising trades to go beyond advice and incorporate water safety checks into existing service packages. It says this applies not only to commercial clients but also to an increasingly safety-conscious generation of residential customers.
Rankin added: “For appropriately qualified plumbers and installers, there is a clear opportunity to incorporate proactive water safety checks and, where appropriate, rapid Legionella testing into existing installation and maintenance services.
“Testing a water system before work begins gives installers a clear picture of its condition from the outset. Testing again once the job is complete helps show the customer that the system has been left in a state that minimises the risk of Legionella. For customers, that means greater visibility of what’s happening in their water systems. For installers, it’s an additional service to offer and a new source of recurring revenue.”
Strengthening customer relationships
Rankin said: “As awareness of Legionella grows, customers will have more questions about their water systems. Installers who can check a system before and after their work, give practical, informed advice, and bring in specialist support where needed will strengthen those customer relationships while adding a valuable new service.”
H2O Global News has previously reported on Safe Shower’s approach to eliminating Legionella at the point of use and on Complii’s acquisition of Legionella control specialist Sweetbriar.
About Hydrosense
Hydrosense develops rapid Legionella testing solutions with the aim of making Legionella detection easier, faster and more effective.
For industrial and commercial applications, the Hydrosense PRO range detects the presence of Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1–15, while the Hydrosense ONE range detects Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1. For consumers, Hydrohawk provides rapid testing for the detection of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1.
The company says its tests deliver results in 25 minutes, enabling earlier detection, faster remedial action and reduced potential exposure to Legionella and its associated risks.
Frequently asked questions
Hydrosense says growing awareness of Legionella is increasing demand for expert advice. It believes plumbers and installers, who already work on the water systems that influence Legionella risk, can turn this into a new revenue stream.
According to Hydrosense, cases in the UK and globally have risen notably as climate change, evolving water usage patterns and ageing infrastructure create more favourable conditions for the bacterium.
Hydrosense suggests testing before work begins to understand the system’s condition, and again once the job is complete to show the customer the system has been left in a state that minimises Legionella risk.
Greg Rankin, CEO at Hydrosense, says simple considerations around flow, temperature, recirculation and avoiding unnecessary dead legs can form part of a more proactive approach to water safety.
Hydrosense says its rapid Legionella tests deliver results in 25 minutes. The PRO range detects Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1–15, while the ONE range and the consumer Hydrohawk test detect serogroup 1.
