Ahead of World Water Day on 22 March, NHS trusts and industry groups in the UK are highlighting the importance of reliable water systems in hospitals.
The updated national guidance, “Safe Water in Healthcare Premises,” sets out standards for the design, maintenance, and operation of hot and cold water supply, storage, and distribution systems in all hospital and healthcare settings.
The protocol also guides how trusts manage risks from water‑borne bacteria such as Legionella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in clinical environments.
Peter Gunn, Senior Consultant at the Water Hygiene Centre, recently warned that Legionella risks in hospital water supplies persist year‑round, requiring trusts to maintain vigilance even in winter.
WaterSafe, the UK accreditation body for plumbers, has backed the latest technical guidance, saying that “safe, hot and cold water supply systems are vital for public health, and no more so than in a hospital environment.”
The organisation is urging NHS trusts to use WaterSafe‑approved plumbers for water system work to protect drinking water quality and hygiene standards.
Suppliers working with NHS estates point to the role of advanced water purification and hygiene systems in supporting clinical services, including sterile services and decontamination.
Separately, the NHS Direct General Hospitals Water Stewardship Partnership Programme is now underway as of October of last year.
The programme is a pilot initiative designed to address water resource challenges in UK hospitals, helping facilities identify water risks and improve water management practices using structured workshops, data collection and risk assessments.
“[Trusts are] responsible for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of patients, visitors and staff by managing water systems to control the risk of contaminated water and to provide safe, wholesome water supplies,” said a member from the Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.