Water is just water… it’s not harmful, right? Wrong! Actually, water can be very dangerous, potentially even lethal. It is important that restaurant owners understand the dangers of not maintaining their water systems correctly, as well as the repercussions of this legally. It is also important that they ensure that their water is tested regularly by a professional who has the relevant qualifications in water management. In this blog, we will explain how water can be dangerous, why it is so important to keep water systems properly maintained and how you can make sure your customers and staff are safe in your restaurant.
Water and Legionella Bacteria
The reason why water can be dangerous is because of the bacteria that is found in it. Legionella bacteria is naturally found in all water types, including natural water and man-made water systems. The level of bacteria in natural water, such as lakes or reservoirs, is small, so small that it usually doesn’t affect people using or drinking the water. However, in some man-made systems Legionella bacteria is allowed to grow and then it becomes potentially lethal.
The health implications of Legionella bacteria
When Legionella bacteria is inhaled, it can lead to health complications, including Pontiac Fever and Legionnaires’ disease. Pontiac fever is a mild virus that is similar to the flu and tends to clear up by itself, or with antibiotics. Legionnaires’ disease on the other hand, is more like pneumonia than the flu. Around 300-400 people in the UK contract Legionnaire’s disease every year and approximately 90% of these people will get better after a short stay in hospital and the correct antibiotics. One out of ten people, however, will die from the disease, and these deaths are completely avoidable.
Note that the bacteria must be inhaled before it becomes dangerous, drinking water containing the Legionella bacteria won’t actually make you ill.
Legionella bacteria in restaurants
As we have just discussed, Legionella bacteria is only dangerous if it is inhaled. You might be thinking that this leaves you in the clear, given you are a restaurant and people are unlikely to go around sniffing the water, but this isn’t the case. Every time a customer (or member of staff) uses the water they risk inhaling it. When they wash their hands, they risk inhaling water droplets that are released into the air. Equally, when they eat or drink the water, they risk it “going down the wrong way”. There are lots of different ways a person might accidentally inhale water droplets, which is why it is so important you make sure that this water is not infected with the legionella bacteria.
Water testing for restaurants
Like all businesses, employers with more than 5 workers, landlords and premises owners, restaurants are encouraged to have their water tested regularly. Not required exactly, but encouraged. This is because if is found that there is Legionella bacteria in the water (even if nobody has been exposed to it) as a restaurant owner you are liable for this. Legally, it is your duty of care to protect your customers and your workers, so if this bacterium is found in the water you could face fines, enforcements, prosecution, or even imprisonment. This is why water testing is so highly encouraged, because testing and analysing the water will highlight any bacteria found in the water and give you the chance to fix the problem, to ensure nobody is exposed to the bacteria.
Can a restaurant test its own water?
Water testing should only be completed by someone who is actually qualified to test the water, and most people don’t have this qualification. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that restaurants hire a water management company to come out and check the water for them. Then, if there is any issue with the water, the water management company can explain what needs to be done the rid the water system of bacteria and make it safe again.
Does the water need to be tested regularly, or is it a one-off thing?
Yes, the water in a restaurant should be tested regularly. As per the legal guidelines, a restaurant must have their water system checked and disinfected at least every two years, given the serious penalties for having bacteria in the water, we recommend you have the water tested annually. This is not a requirement, but it will give you peace of mind.
Additionally, if you have had any maintenance work completed, and/or repaired or changed some or all of the water-system, the water should be tested and analysed to ensure no damage was caused to the water.
Restaurant owners who rent their building
If someone else owns the building your restaurant is located in, then technically the responsibility of the water system falls onto them. As the restaurant owner, however, it is a good idea to make sure the landlord of the building is regularly maintaining the water system, just for the peace of mind of knowing that nobody (customers or staff) is going to be exposed to harmful bacteria.