Legionella risk assessments in hospitality: protecting guests, staff and reputation

In the hospitality industry, customer experience is everything – and that includes ensuring your premises are safe, clean, and compliant. From hotels and spas to restaurants and leisure facilities, maintaining safe water systems is a key part of delivering a positive guest experience. That’s why Legionella risk assessments are so important.

Legionella bacteria can grow in man-made water systems such as hot tubs, showers, cooling towers, and decorative features. If water droplets containing the bacteria are inhaled, it can lead to Legionnaires’ disease – a serious form of pneumonia that poses a particular threat to older adults, smokers, and those with underlying health conditions.

For businesses operating in the hospitality sector, the consequences of an outbreak can be severe – affecting not only health and safety, but also reputation, bookings, and revenue.

Understanding the risks in hospitality settings

Hotels, leisure centres, spas, and restaurants often have complex water systems, with multiple outlets used intermittently across large sites. This creates an ideal environment for Legionella to multiply if systems aren’t properly maintained.

Common risks in hospitality include:

• Hot and cold-water systems with irregular use
• Spa pools, steam rooms, and jacuzzis
• Decorative water features
• Showers and taps in guest rooms
• Ice machines, drinking water dispensers, and air conditioning units

If water is allowed to stagnate, or temperatures are not properly controlled, bacteria can thrive – especially in warm, humid environments often found in leisure and spa areas.

What a hospitality Legionella risk assessment includes

A comprehensive risk assessment will review the entire water system and identify any potential areas where Legionella bacteria could grow and spread. It typically includes:

• Inspection of hot and cold water systems
• Identification of high-risk assets such as spa pools or underused guest rooms
• Temperature profiling and water sampling
• Review of current maintenance practices
• A tailored action plan for ongoing control and compliance

Risk assessments should be carried out by a competent person and reviewed regularly – particularly when buildings are refurbished, extended, or experience changes in usage patterns.

How HBE UK supports the hospitality industry

At HBE UK, we help hotels, leisure centres, and hospitality venues across the UK manage Legionella risks with confidence. Our assessors are experienced in working in busy, guest-facing environments and can carry out detailed assessments with minimal disruption to day-to-day operations.

We provide:

• Comprehensive Legionella risk assessments
• Water sampling and testing
• Support with written schemes of control
• Spa and leisure facility checks
• Ongoing monitoring and remedial works
• Staff training for awareness and best practice

Protect your brand – book your assessment

Whether you run a boutique hotel, a spa resort, or a national chain, maintaining safe water systems is vital. Legionella doesn’t just pose a health risk – it can damage your brand and impact guest trust.

If your last risk assessment is out of date or you’ve made changes to your water systems, now is the time to review. Get in touch with HBE UK to schedule a Legionella risk assessment or find out more about our water safety services for the hospitality industry.