Pathogen control
A major water system eliminated recurring pathogens in four days
Bioload fell from 600 to 0 cfu/g across every test point after years of failed chemical dosing, with Legionella eliminated, confirmed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory.
In short
What are water treatment solutions?
Water treatment solutions are the physical, chemical and biological processes that remove contaminants and pathogens from drinking water, process water and water systems so the water is safe, compliant and fit for use. The strongest solutions clean the system itself, not just the water it holds, cut chemical and energy cost, and prove every result independently.
- Controlling Legionella and recurring pathogens in drinking-water and building water systems
- Clearing the deposits on pipe walls where pathogens shelter, out of reach of routine dosing
- Treating process water and water systems without taking them offline
- Reducing chemical dosing and the cost and scrutiny that come with it
- Cutting the energy that conventional treatment depends on
- Evidencing every result to an independent or accredited laboratory
The challenge
The chemicals dose for years, and the pathogens keep coming back
Most water problems that persist do so for one reason: the pipework is never cleaned, only the water in it is dosed, on systems you cannot easily take offline.
A dose that clears the water column can leave the deposits on the pipe walls untouched, and those deposits shelter the organisms that reseed the system as soon as the dose falls away. Chlorine-based routines can run for years without ever addressing the source. The result is recurring Legionella and pathogen risk, failed tests and rising chemical cost on drinking-water and building water systems.
The duty does not move. Water systems carry a legal obligation to control Legionella and keep water safe, and a failed test or an outbreak brings enforcement, closure and reputational exposure that outlasts the incident.
The cost is paid twice: in the chemicals and energy spent treating the symptom, and in the risk and compliance exposure that remains while the source survives.
How it works
Remove the source, not just the symptom, on the system you already run
We clean the system itself, not just the water it holds, across water systems, surfaces and process water, with no toxic residue and proof at every step.
By cleaning the pipework where pathogens shelter, the bioburden falls at source and stays down on routine maintenance, rather than rebounding between chemical shocks. The same biological and oxidative approaches cut the chemicals and energy that conventional treatment depends on, with no toxic residue left in the system.
It works on live water systems and full-scale works without taking them offline, and every result is verified by an independent or accredited laboratory. So it stands up to a Water Safety Group, a regulator or an asset review.
What it delivers
Safe water, lower cost, evidenced every step
Risk
Control Legionella and pathogens
Bring waterborne bioload to 0 cfu/g in four days where conventional dosing had failed for years, confirmed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory and held on routine maintenance.
Risk
Clean the system at source
Clean the pipework through rather than dosing the water it holds, taking away the sheltered conditions where resistant pathogens shelter and survive.
Obligation
Evidence your water safety duty
Prove control of the recurring pathogen or fouling problem to an independent or accredited laboratory, so the duty on your water systems stands up to scrutiny.
Cost
Fewer chemicals, no toxic residue
Reduce reliance on dosing chemistry and the cost and scrutiny that come with it, with no toxic residue left in the system.
Cost
Cut treatment energy
Take 34% off the energy to treat the load at a 110,000-population works under independent monitoring, with no new infrastructure, against an aeration demand that runs at 45 to 75% of plant energy.
Obligation
Recover and reuse water
Recover and reuse water rather than wasting it, and harness the flow and pressure already in your network to generate energy, with no new civil infrastructure.
Evidence
Verified in the field, not the brochure
Independently measured, never merely claimed.
0 cfu/gRecurring waterborne pathogens eliminated in four days, confirmed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory
1.6M litresReturned to zero Legionella, E. coli and coliforms on a fraction of the previous chemical volume, verified by a water-authority laboratory
34%Less energy to treat the load at a 110,000-population works, measured by an independent consultancy
Reference sites
Results you can scrutinise
Compliance
The compliance you carry
The UK environmental and safety duties that commonly reach water treatment solutions. Open any one for what it requires, the deadlines, what is at stake, and how to evidence control. Every entry is sourced.
ACoP L8RiskObligationLegionella control in water systems (ACoP L8 and HSG274)
What you must doAppoint a competent Responsible Person, assess the risk in writing, put a control scheme in place, monitor it, and keep records. A court can treat failure to follow the ACoP as evidence of breaking the law.
Applies toAny business with a water system that could create a risk of exposure to Legionella: hot and cold water services, cooling towers, spa pools, calorifiers and more.
When it bitesContinuously, wherever a water system could let Legionella grow and create breathable droplets.
DeadlinesOngoing (continuous duty)
What is at stakeProsecution under the Health and Safety at Work Act with unlimited fines. One spa-pool outbreak that caused three deaths led to a fine of GBP 1,000,000.
How to evidence itA current written risk assessment, up-to-date monitoring and temperature records, and, increasingly, independent laboratory verification that the system is under control.
Legal basisHealth and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (s2 and s3) and COSHH 2002, with the Approved Code of Practice L8 (special legal status) and HSG274. Issued by Health and Safety Executive.
Turn a continuous, personal Legionella duty into a defensible compliance file, with waterborne risk brought under control and independently confirmed.
WFD Regs 2017ObligationRiskWater Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations 2017
What you must doDo not cause deterioration of water-body status and comply with conditions, derived from River Basin Management Plan objectives, that flow through your permits and licences.
Applies toOperators whose abstraction, discharge or physical works could affect the status of a river, lake or groundwater body.
When it bitesWhen an activity could cause deterioration of water-body status; River Basin Management Plan objectives feed into permit decisions.
DeadlinesOngoing (River Basin Management Plan cycles)
What is at stakeNo standalone penalty in most cases; enforced through the permits and licences that carry the conditions.
How to evidence itPermit and licence compliance records that show no deterioration and that conditions are met.
Legal basisWater Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 (SI 2017/407). Issued by Environment Agency / Natural Resources Wales / Defra.
Reg 31ObligationRiskRegulation 31: materials and products in contact with drinking water
What you must doUse only approved substances, products and processes in public supplies; manufacturers must obtain Regulation 31 approval before water companies use a product.
Applies toManufacturers, specifiers and contractors using chemicals, products or materials in contact with public drinking water from source to delivery.
When it bitesWhen a substance, product or process is to be used in a public water supply.
DeadlinesOngoing (approval precedes use)
What is at stakeAn approval-and-compliance mechanism overseen by the Drinking Water Inspectorate, enforced through the Water Industry Act 1991 regime for water companies; there is no separate Regulation 31 penalty figure.
How to evidence itEvidence that materials and chemicals specified hold current Regulation 31 approval.
Legal basisRegulation 31 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (as amended). Issued by Drinking Water Inspectorate / Secretary of State.
Storm overflowsObligationCostRiskStorm overflows and phosphorus targets (Environment Act 2021)
What you must doReduce spill frequency and phosphorus loading to the statutory targets, with a roughly GBP 12bn programme to cut spills, and a 50% phosphorus-loading cut by 2028 and 80% by 2038.
Applies toWater and wastewater companies, and the works and networks that discharge to rivers and the sea.
When it bitesAcross the asset base, against statutory reduction and phosphorus-loading targets.
Deadlines2028 and 2038 (phosphorus); 2029, 2035 and 2050 (spills)
What is at stakeEnforced by the Environment Agency and Ofwat, with penalties for breaches and a strong public and political spotlight.
How to evidence itMonitored spill data, nutrient-removal performance, and delivery against the investment programme.
Legal basisEnvironment Act 2021, the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan, and the Environmental Targets (Water) (England) Regulations 2023. Issued by Defra / Environment Agency / Ofwat.
Hit tightening discharge and nutrient targets while cutting the energy and chemicals it takes to get there.
EPR 2016ObligationRiskCostEnvironmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016
What you must doHold the correct permit or registered exemption and operate within its conditions, applying best available techniques where required, with records and reporting.
Applies toOperators of regulated facilities: installations, waste operations, water-discharge and groundwater activities, and certain air-emission activities.
When it bitesBefore carrying on a regulated activity, such as discharging to controlled waters or operating combustion or waste plant.
DeadlinesOngoing (permit precedes the activity)
What is at stakePollution offences carry unlimited fines and up to five years' imprisonment. Civil sanctions include variable monetary penalties, which became unlimited when the previous GBP 250,000 cap was removed in December 2023.
How to evidence itThe correct permit in force, monitoring to its conditions, an environmental management system, and an incident log.
Legal basisEnvironmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/1154), as amended. Issued by Environment Agency / Natural Resources Wales / local authorities.
Stay inside permit conditions and reduce the load your processes put to water and air, lowering both risk and cost.
AbstractionObligationCostWater abstraction licensing and reform (Environment Act 2021)
What you must doHold an abstraction licence, stay within its volumes and conditions, and prepare for licences to become revocable Environmental Permits by 2028.
Applies toOperators abstracting water from rivers, lakes or groundwater above the licensable threshold, including farms, food sites and large estates.
When it bitesOn abstracting above the threshold; licences are converting to revocable Environmental Permits.
DeadlinesPermit conversion by 2028
What is at stakeEnforced by the Environment Agency, with the prospect of tighter or revoked entitlements in stressed catchments.
How to evidence itMetered abstraction within licensed volumes, and a plan to reduce reliance where catchments are under pressure.
Legal basisWater Resources Act 1991 abstraction licensing, reformed under the Environment Act 2021. Issued by Environment Agency / UK Government.
Do more with less abstracted water, protecting both your entitlement and your running cost as catchments tighten.
Reservoirs ActObligationRiskReservoirs Act 1975 (reservoir safety)
What you must doRegister the reservoir, appoint qualified panel engineers to inspect and supervise it, maintain and inspect the structure, and hold an on-site emergency flood plan.
Applies toOwners and operators of large raised reservoirs holding more than 25,000 cubic metres above the surrounding land, including estates, farms, industrial sites and water companies.
When it bitesOn constructing, altering or operating a qualifying reservoir.
DeadlinesRegistration within 28 days of the final certificate; ongoing inspection
What is at stakeOffences under the Act, such as failing to register or to appoint engineers, are punishable by fines, with the most serious offences carrying an unlimited fine.
How to evidence itRegistration on record, panel-engineer inspection reports, maintenance records and a current emergency plan.
Legal basisReservoirs Act 1975 and the Reservoirs Act 1975 (Capacity, Registration, Prescribed Forms, etc.) (England) Regulations 2013. Issued by Environment Agency.
ESOSObligationCostEnergy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)
What you must doAudit total energy use across buildings, processes and transport, identify cost-effective savings, and report compliance, with an action plan and progress updates.
Applies toLarge undertakings that meet the size threshold (broadly large companies and groups).
When it bitesEvery four-year compliance phase, on qualifying organisations.
DeadlinesPhase 4 compliance by 5 December 2027; four-yearly thereafter
What is at stakeCivil penalties from the Environment Agency for failing to comply or report.
How to evidence itA completed ESOS assessment, a board-signed-off report, an action plan, and progress against it.
Legal basisThe Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended). Issued by Environment Agency.
Turn the audit you must do anyway into delivered savings, by cutting the energy your water, air and process systems burn.
MCPDObligationCostMedium Combustion Plant Directive and Specified Generators
What you must doHold the right permit, meet emission limits for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and dust, and monitor and report emissions.
Applies toOperators of medium combustion plant rated 1 to 50 MW thermal, including boilers, engines, CHP and standby or peaking generators.
When it bitesOn operating an in-scope plant, with permitting and emission limits phased by size and age.
DeadlinesExisting plant: 2024 for above 5 MW, 2029 for 1 to 5 MW; new plant before operation
What is at stakeEnforced under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, with unlimited fines and civil sanctions.
How to evidence itThe permit in force, emission monitoring to its limits, and maintenance records.
Legal basisMedium Combustion Plant and Specified Generator provisions of the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 (transposing Directive (EU) 2015/2193). Issued by Environment Agency / Natural Resources Wales.
UK ETSObligationCostUK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS)
What you must doHold a greenhouse gas emissions permit, monitor and report verified emissions each year, and surrender allowances equal to those emissions.
Applies toOperators of installations combusting fuels above 20 MW thermal, energy-intensive industry, aviation, and larger sites with significant standby generation.
When it bitesAnnually, on in-scope installations, to monitor, report and surrender allowances.
DeadlinesAnnual compliance cycle; second allocation period from 2027
What is at stakeCivil penalties under the scheme: an excess emissions penalty of GBP 100 for each allowance not surrendered (uprated for inflation, with the allowances still falling due), a GBP 20,000 fixed penalty plus GBP 1,000 a day for failing to return allowances, and an under-reporting penalty based on the annual carbon price.
How to evidence itA current emissions permit, a verified annual emissions report, and surrendered allowances on record.
Legal basisThe Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020 (as amended), under the Climate Change Act 2008. Issued by UK ETS Authority / Environment Agency.
Duty of careObligationRiskWaste duty of care, the waste hierarchy and hazardous waste
What you must doStore waste securely, transfer it only to authorised persons with the correct transfer or consignment notes, and apply the waste hierarchy of prevent, reuse, recycle, recover, dispose.
Applies toEffectively every commercial and industrial operator that produces, holds, carries or transfers controlled waste.
When it bitesContinuously, whenever waste is held or transferred; hazardous waste triggers extra duties.
DeadlinesOngoing (continuous duty)
What is at stakeBreach of the duty of care is an offence with an unlimited fine on conviction.
How to evidence itWaste transfer and consignment notes, evidence the carrier and destination are authorised, and a record of how the hierarchy is applied.
Legal basisEnvironmental Protection Act 1990, s34; the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011; the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005. Issued by Environment Agency / Defra.
Before you commit
Proven on a live system, with no disruption
The questions that matter most are whether it works on resistant pathogens, whether it disrupts a live water system, and whether the evidence is independent.
On all three the answer is built in. It cleans the system itself rather than dosing the water it holds, works on live water systems and full-scale works without taking them offline, and is verified by an independent or accredited laboratory. We start with the water problem that keeps coming back, prove the result on your system, then extend it.
Every result is verified by an independent or accredited laboratory.
Questions answered
What are water treatment solutions?
They are the physical, chemical and biological processes that remove contaminants and pathogens from drinking water, process water and water systems so the water is safe, compliant and fit for use. The strongest solutions clean the system itself, not just the water it holds, and prove every result independently.
What are the types and methods of water treatment?
They fall into three families: physical (filtration, settlement, temperature control), chemical (chlorine and other dosing, oxidation) and biological (microbial and oxidative approaches). Most systems combine them. The gains now come from cleaning the system at source so the methods you already run do more for less chemical and energy input.
How do you control Legionella in a water system?
Conventional dosing struggles because it treats the water and leaves the pipe walls untouched, and that is where the organisms shelter and reseed from. Cleaning the system at source drops the bioburden where pathogens survive, bringing recurring waterborne bioload to 0 cfu/g in four days under accredited testing and holding it on routine maintenance.
How do you reduce water treatment chemical cost?
By clearing the deposits and resistant pathogens at source rather than dosing the symptom, reliance on chemistry falls along with the cost and scrutiny that come with it, with no toxic residue left in the system. The same approaches also cut the energy treatment depends on.
Is the evidence independent?
Yes. Results are verified by UKAS-accredited and water-authority laboratories and, for wastewater works, monitored by the environmental regulator, so the outcome stands up to a Water Safety Group, a regulator or an asset review.
Can it run on a live water system without downtime?
Yes. It is designed to work around live operations, so drinking-water systems, process water and full-scale works stay in service while bioburden, chemical use and energy fall.
Does it work where chlorine-based treatment has failed?
Yes. It reaches the deposits and resistant pathogens that survive conventional disinfection, cleaning the source rather than dosing the symptom, with results confirmed to 0 cfu/g under accredited testing where dosing had failed for years.
Where to next
Go deeper on your situation
Clean water and wastewaterThe full capability across drinking-water systems and wastewater works.Water and wastewater sectorThe duties and deadlines operators carry, and how they meet them.Wastewater treatment solutionsFor discharge consent, phosphorus and treatment energy at the works.The compliance you carryThe UK water and environmental duties that reach your systems, each sourced.Score your water safety positionSee where your water systems stand before you talk to us.
Bring us the water problem that keeps coming back
Tell us the pathogen, fouling or cost problem you are facing. We will quantify the outcome for your system, in confidence, before you commit.
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Tell us your challenge
Tell us the cost, the risk or the obligation you are facing. A senior member of our team will respond, in confidence, with how we would help.
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