Legionella testing in water
Accredited cost-effective UK-wide legionella testing services
Laboratories of Eurofins Water Hygiene Testing consist of five UKAS no. 9658 and 1369 accredited laboratories strategically located across the UK. We support building services, healthcare, leisure, and water management professionals in maintaining safe systems and regulatory compliance.
UK-wide, accredited legionella testing
- Heathrow Laboratory - Serving London, Greater London, and the South of England
- Wolverhampton Laboratory - Serving the Midlands, including Birmingham, Nottingham, and Wales
- Grimsby Laboratory - Serving the North of England, including Manchester and Leeds
- Livingston Laboratory - Serving Scotland, including Edinburgh and Glasgow
- Belfast Laboratory - Serving Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
What is Legionella?
Legionella is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria that includes species such as Legionella pneumophila, which can cause legionellosis; illnesses such as the pneumonia-type Legionnaires’ disease and the milder flu-like Pontiac fever. These diseases typically affect people with weakened immune systems, the very young or elderly, heavy drinkers or smokers, and are more common in men over 55.
Where does Legionella come from?
Legionella bacteria can be dispersed into the air through fine water droplets (aerosols) generated from water systems such as cooling towers, domestic showers, spa pools, and decorative water features. When these aerosols are inhaled, the bacteria can enter the lungs and, in warm and humid conditions, multiply and cause infection known as Legionnaires’ disease. Symptoms typically include persistent cough, fever, headache, chills, gastrointestinal upset, and muscle pain.
ISO 11731 accredited laboratory methods
Our UKAS-accredited laboratories operate in strict accordance with recognised methods based on ISO 11731:2017 - Water quality: Enumeration of Legionella.
We offer full culture method testing for Legionella pneumophila and other Legionella species, including MALDI-TOF identification for serogroups beyond Sg 1–14. Testing is designed for compliance with ACOP L8 and HSG274.
Why choose Eurofins Water Hygiene Testing
- UKAS-accredited Legionella testing to ISO 11731
- Suitable for hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, spa and leisure facilities, and healthcare estates
- Extensive UK coverage and logistics network
- Choice of sample containers for standard and awkward-to-sample locations
- Cost-effective service with reliable turnaround
- Trusted by facilities managers, water treatment contractors and risk professionals
- LCA member
Legionella Control Association (LCA)
Eurofins Water Hygiene Testing UK Ltd. is a member of the Legionella Control Association.
Legionella sampling & logistics
To ensure that we are able to test your water samples accurately, please submit them in appropriate sample containers. For Legionella testing we offer:
- Bottles: Standard 1000ml bottles dosed with sodium thiosulphate as well as alternative 500ml bottles
- Thiobags: Innovative sample holder which come in several sizes and are perfect for small, awkward basins, showers etc. Compared to bottles, Thiobags save space and use less plastic than traditional sampling methods reducing our environmental impact
UK-wide drop-off facilities
Eurofins UK clients benefit from our extensive and free to use logistics and sample drop-off network with over 60 drop-off locations.
Sample bottles
To ensure that we are able to test your water chemistry samples please submit them in appropriate sample bottles.
Get in touch
Would you like to find out more about our water hygiene testing and compliance services? Contact Eurofins Water Hygiene Testing UK today by submitting an enquiry form or calling +44 (0) 845 604 6740.