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The bacterium that causes Legionella is common in the natural environment but at levels that are too small to cause infection.
When bodies of water are stored and/or heated, the bacterium can grow to greater numbers. Infection is via inhalation of contaminated aerosols (droplets of water in the air) which are typically formed from cooling towers, evaporative condensers, hot and cold-water systems and spa pools.

The Health & Safety Commission’s Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for the Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems (L8), sets out the requirement for there to be a suitable and sufficient assessment to identify risk of Legionellosis from work activities and water sources within the workplace. This includes both commercial and domestic (tenanted) buildings.

It is recommended to review the risk assessment every two years, or sooner, if changes to any systems are made.