Water Safety Management Policy
Read our Water Safety Management Policy
Date published: 15 September 2026
1.0 Policy summary
1.1 This Policy document sets out Stonewater’s and its subsidiaries (Stonewater’s) approach regarding the management of water hygiene risks that may be present in its residential buildings, and any infrastructure for which it has a management responsibility.
1.2 The policy encompasses Stonewater’s approach to the assessment of and treatment of:
Hot and cold water systems
Sewage tanks and systems and
Sustainable drainage systems
1.3 This policy will be implemented through the application of a management plan and supporting processes which provide the operational guidance for colleagues and suppliers to enable them to meet Stonewater’s policy requirements.
1.4 The objective of this document is to ensure that the risks associated with the provision and storage of water is reduced as far as reasonably practicable.
2.0 Policy objective
2.1 The overall objective of this policy is to ensure that Stonewater meets its obligations under the Health & Safety at Work Etc Act, Approved Code of Practice L8 (The Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems) and applicable British Standards.
2.2 This policy applies to water systems for which, Stonewater and its subsidiaries are the Responsible Person.
2.3 Noting that in some instances a third party may be responsible for the inspection, servicing and maintenance of water systems via a management agreement or lease. In such circumstances Stonewater will make reasonable enquiries to assure itself that the third party is fulfilling its legal obligations, thus ensuring the safety of Stonewater’s customers and colleagues.
3.0 Policy details
3.1 Stonewater will ensure water risk assessments (WRA) are completed by a competent person (Consultant) for all properties where there is a reasonable foreseeable risk of exposure to legionella bacteria.
3.2 Where complex water systems are installed, Stonewater shall hold an asset register of all associated parts, which will include a schematic diagram, showing the layout of the system and parts.
3.3 Water risk assessments will be reviewed and revised on a biennial (every 2 years) basis or earlier if:
the property is deemed to be high risk;
the building or building use changes
the risk changes
The controls are no longer deemed to be appropriate
Testing indicates the presence of legionella bacteria or a case of legionnaires disease is reported
or there is reason to be believe that the WRA is no longer valid
3.4 Stonewater will document and implement a written scheme of control to ensure that foreseeable risks from water systems are effectively managed
3.5 Stonewater will employ a competent contractor to check the performance and condition of water systems and component parts and monitor the effectiveness of treatment regimes.
3.6 Risk assessments, written schemes of controls and the results of monitoring, testing and inspections shall be retained for a minimum of two years and a maximum of six.
3.7 Stonewater will investigate emergency hazards within 24 hours of receiving a report from a customer (where it is within Stonewater’s scope to do so) and where practicable make safe.
3.8 Stonewater will provide emergency accommodation for Customers where it is confirmed that a hazard cannot be made safe within 24 hours, until such time as the home is habitable.
3.9 Stonewater will keep customers informed of investigations, safety works and follow-up works required to address significant or emergency hazards and aim to commence works within statutory timescales.
4.0 Data assurance
4.1 Stonewater acknowledge that to meet our obligations we must maintain a robust approach to identifying the assets and components for which it has responsibility.
4.2 To ensure we effectively manage our data we will:
Maintain an up-to-date Master Database) of all properties that have stored water and that require a water risk assessment (WRA);
Where a WRA is not required hold appropriate evidence to justify why the asset does not require an assessment.
Retain copies of all servicing and maintenance visits undertaken for each installation for a minimum of two and maximum of six-years;
Maintain current and up to date records of remedial action taken to address risks identified within the WRA:
Address of the building
Unique asset number assigned to the equipment
The type of equipment
The manufacturer
Details of the action required and its priority
Details of the action taken to address
Evidence of completed actions
Details of the individual who completed the action
Date the action was completed
4.3 Further details are contained within the Water Management Plan
5.0 Performance monitoring
5.1 Key strategic performance indicators for all areas of compliance are agreed by the Board and monitored by the Groups Strategic Health & Safety Group.
5.2 Operational KPIs are monitored monthly via the Groups Building Safety Group.
6.0 Assurance
6.1 To provide assurance regarding the quality of the Groups maintenance inspection regime and contractor performance an independent audit company is employed to complete sample audits of all survey and asbestos works on a rolling monthly basis.
6.2 Audit outcomes are monitored by the relevant Head of Service and actioned via contract meetings. A non-conformance report is also presented to the Building Safety Group as part of the Compliance performance report.
6.3 The Groups H&S team will also complete a thematic audit of water risk management on an annual basis.
7.0 Related procedures
7.1 The following associated documents provide the detailed procedures to deliver the lifting equipment management policy objectives and outcomes;
GS-PR- 051 Water management plan
GS-PR051A Water risk assessment process
GS-PR-051B Water risk assessment audit process
GS-PR-51 C Water Hygiene actions audit process
GS-PR-051 D Water Hygiene action management process
8.0 Success measures
8.1 This policy (and associated procedure) is designed to deliver the following success measures:
That all assets (where required) have a valid WRA in place
That all assets subject to a WRA have a written scheme of control in place
That Stonewater can evidence that schemes of control are being complied with
9.0 Roles and responsibilities
9.1 Role and Responsibilities are detailed in the Groups Water Management Plan.
10.0 Information instruction and training
10.1 Stonewater shall ensure that adequate information, instruction and training is made available to all colleagues, relevant and proportionate to their role, work activities and span of control.
10.2 Details of water risk assessment and treatment activity is not routinely shared with Customers. However, Legionella risk mitigation advice is provided on Stonewater’s website and routinely included in newsletters.
11.0 Review
11.1 This Policy shall be reviewed and updated by Stonewater biennially or if there any major changes to current Regulations, HSE approved codes of practice and guidance.
11.2 Approved documents are valid for use after their approval date and remain in force beyond any expiry of their review date until a new version is available.
