Cleaning and Disinfection

Holland Water has various flushing installations for the cleaning and disinfection of drinking water systems in response to legionella issues. Our specialists in installation technology and cleaning provide expert advice and ensure efficient and careful execution. 

In buildings where there are persistent legionella problems, or in cases of acute legionella exceedances from 1000 cfu/l for which there is a mandatory reporting requirement to the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT), cleaning and disinfection may be necessary.

Holland Water offers various cleaning and disinfection solutions to address these issues. With our advanced mobile flushing installation, even the largest drinking water systems can be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. This ensures that you have clean and safe drinking water.

After cleaning and disinfection, the piping system is reconnected to the public network and is safe for use. Every step in the process is carefully monitored to check for any residual disinfectant in the system. Through these thorough cleaning methods, we guarantee that your water installation is free from legionella bacteria and remains safe for use.

• Thermal disinfection | direct elimination of legionella bacteria
• Chemical cleaning and disinfection | elimination of legionella bacteria plus removal of biofilm
• Combination of thermal disinfection and chemical cleaning

Both methods and their combination have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between thermal disinfection, chemical cleaning, or a combination of these depends on the specific circumstances of the drinking water installation and the nature of the legionella contamination.

Would you like to know more about cleaning and disinfection for legionella? Please contact our specialists for free advice.

You can find the answers to frequently asked questions about cleaning and disinfection here. Is your question not listed? Then please contact us.

Thermal disinfection is a method used to control legionella bacteria in a drinking water system by heating the water to a high temperature. The following steps are generally followed:

1. Raising the water temperature: the water is heated for a certain period to a temperature of at least 60 degrees Celsius. 
2. Circulation of the hot water: the hot water is circulated throughout the entire system, including all pipes and outlets, to ensure that all parts of the system are exposed to the high temperature.
3. Flushing of outlets: outlets such as taps and showers are opened to ensure that the hot water also flows through them, thereby killing any legionella bacteria present.

Chemical cleaning is a method in which chemical substances are used to combat legionella bacteria and remove biofilm from the drinking water installation. This process typically involves:

1. Application of chemical agents: specific disinfectants are added to the water in concentrations sufficient to kill bacteria and break down biofilm.
2. Circulation of the agent: the treated water is circulated throughout the entire installation to ensure that all parts of the system are reached and disinfected.
3. Flushing and rinsing: after disinfection, the system is thoroughly flushed with clean water to remove chemical residues and ensure that the water is safe for consumption again.