Why Your Choice Matters
Water treatment is a specialist field where the quality of work directly affects the safety of building occupants. An incompetent assessment or poorly executed chlorination can be worse than no treatment at all, because it creates a false sense of security. Choosing the right company is not just about price; it is about competence, reliability, and accountability.
Key Qualifications and Accreditations
Look for companies that hold recognised industry accreditations. These are not guarantees of quality, but they demonstrate a baseline commitment to professional standards.
- •Legionella Control Association (LCA) membership: the primary industry body for legionella risk management
- •City & Guilds qualifications in water treatment or legionella risk assessment
- •UKAS accreditation for any laboratory services they provide or use
- •Appropriate public liability and professional indemnity insurance
- •Evidence of ongoing CPD and staff training records
Questions to Ask Before You Hire
A reputable company will welcome questions about their qualifications and processes. If a provider is evasive or dismissive about any of these points, consider it a warning sign.
- •How many years have you been operating in London?
- •Can you provide references from similar properties?
- •Who will carry out the assessment, and what are their qualifications?
- •Do you use a UKAS-accredited laboratory for water sampling?
- •What is included in your assessment report?
- •Do you provide ongoing monitoring and maintenance contracts?
- •How quickly can you respond to an emergency?
Red Flags to Watch For
Be cautious of companies that quote without visiting the property first, as every building is different and a meaningful quote requires an understanding of the system. Unusually low prices often indicate cut corners, whether in assessment thoroughness, report quality, or the qualifications of the person doing the work. A company that cannot clearly explain what their service includes, or that pressures you into immediate decisions, is best avoided.