For buyers and compliance leads
Whether you manage a single building or a multi-site estate, finding a reliable, accredited water hygiene contractor is a legal necessity — not just best practice. This guide explains what to look for, how to use this directory, and what the law requires.
How to find the right contractor
Use the search page to filter contractors by the specific service you need — such as Legionella Risk Assessment or Cooling Tower Management — and by your UK region. You can also filter by accreditation body to ensure the contractor meets your procurement requirements.
Once you have a shortlist, visit each contractor's profile page to review their accreditations, regions covered, sectors served, and — for Verified listings — case studies and client testimonials. Use the enquiry form on their profile to request a quote.
Understanding accreditations
LCA Membership
The Legionella Control Association is the primary trade body for water hygiene contractors in the UK. LCA members commit to the LCA Code of Conduct and are assessed against competence standards. All contractors listed in this directory as LCA members are drawn from the LCA's published member list.
SafeContractor
SafeContractor is a health and safety pre-qualification scheme widely used in procurement. Contractors with SafeContractor approval have been independently assessed against SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) standards, giving you confidence in their health and safety management systems.
CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme)
CHAS is another SSIP member scheme. Contractors who hold CHAS accreditation have demonstrated compliance with the core criteria of construction-phase and ongoing health and safety management. CHAS is widely recognised by local authorities and housing associations.
ISO 9001 (Quality Management)
ISO 9001 is the internationally recognised standard for quality management systems. A contractor holding ISO 9001 certification has an independently audited system for ensuring consistent service quality and continuous improvement. Look for this on contracts where quality assurance is a procurement requirement.
Questions to ask before hiring
- Are you a current LCA member? Can you provide your certificate number and expiry?
- Do you carry public liability insurance and professional indemnity? What is the level of cover?
- What experience do you have with sites similar to mine (sector, building type, system complexity)?
- Who will carry out the work — employed staff or subcontractors? Are they competent and trained to the relevant standards?
- Can you provide references from current clients in a similar sector?
- How do you report findings and what is your process for recommending remediation?
- What is your turnaround time for written reports following a risk assessment?
Your legal duties under ACoP L8 and COSHH
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 places a duty on employers and those in control of premises to ensure the health and safety of employees and others who may be affected by their undertaking.
ACoP L8 — Legionnaires' disease: The control of legionella bacteria in water systemsis the UK's approved code of practice for managing legionella risk. Compliance with ACoP L8 is not optional. Duty holders are required to: identify and assess sources of risk; prepare a written scheme for preventing or controlling risk; implement, manage, and monitor precautions; keep records; and appoint a person to be responsible for Legionella control.
COSHH Regulations 2002 (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) also apply to legionella as a biological agent. Duty holders must assess the risk and implement suitable control measures.
Failure to manage legionella risk can result in enforcement action by the HSE, prosecution, unlimited fines, and — in the event of an outbreak — civil litigation. Engaging a competent, accredited contractor is central to demonstrating compliance.
This page is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always refer to current HSE guidance and seek professional advice for your specific circumstances.
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