Water Hygiene
Water Hygiene is the practice of maintaining safe and clean water systems in buildings to prevent health risks. It involves regular checking, cleaning, and managing water systems like drinking fountains, cooling towers, and hot water systems. This is important because harmful bacteria like Legionella can grow in poorly maintained water systems. Many facilities management teams need specialists who understand these processes to keep building occupants safe and meet legal requirements. You might also see this referred to as "water safety management" or "water treatment."
Examples in Resumes
Managed Water Hygiene programs across 12 commercial buildings
Conducted monthly Water Safety assessments and record-keeping
Led team responsible for Water Treatment and Water Hygiene compliance
Implemented new Water Management procedures following legal guidelines
Typical job title: "Water Hygiene Specialists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Water Hygiene Specialists
Professional Associations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop and implement a site-wide water safety plan?
Expected Answer: Should explain how to assess risks, create monitoring schedules, manage team responsibilities, and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. Should mention documentation processes and emergency response procedures.
Q: How do you handle a suspected Legionella outbreak in a building?
Expected Answer: Should describe emergency response procedures, including immediate actions to protect occupants, communication with stakeholders, working with health authorities, and implementing corrective measures.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the key areas you would check during a water hygiene risk assessment?
Expected Answer: Should mention checking water temperatures, inspecting storage tanks, reviewing cleaning schedules, examining pipework conditions, and verifying maintenance records.
Q: How often should different types of water systems be tested and maintained?
Expected Answer: Should know standard frequencies for various checks like monthly temperature monitoring, quarterly cleaning of shower heads, annual tank inspections, and be able to explain why these timeframes matter.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What temperature ranges are important for hot and cold water systems?
Expected Answer: Should know that hot water should be stored at 60°C and distributed at 50°C minimum, while cold water should be below 20°C, and understand why these temperatures matter for safety.
Q: What records should be kept for water hygiene maintenance?
Expected Answer: Should mention temperature logs, cleaning schedules, inspection reports, and maintenance records, understanding the importance of documentation for compliance.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic water testing procedures
- Understanding of safety regulations
- Record keeping and documentation
- Temperature monitoring
Mid (2-5 years)
- Risk assessment completion
- System maintenance procedures
- Team coordination
- Emergency response handling
Senior (5+ years)
- Program development and management
- Regulatory compliance oversight
- Staff training and development
- Crisis management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of current water safety regulations
- Unable to explain basic testing procedures
- Lack of understanding about documentation requirements
- No experience with risk assessments
- Unfamiliarity with Legionella control measures
Related Terms
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