Every summer, schools across the UK prepare for one of their longest periods of reduced occupancy. While classrooms may sit empty, your water system shouldn’t be forgotten.
Six weeks of little or no water use creates the perfect conditions for water stagnation, increasing the risk of bacteria such as Legionella developing within pipework, storage tanks and outlets.
For school business managers, estates teams and facilities professionals, maintaining good water hygiene throughout the summer break is an essential part of health and safety compliance. At Wodr, we help organisations manage their water services efficiently. Here’s what every school should be doing to keep their water systems safe over the holidays.
Why does water hygiene matter?
When water remains stagnant for extended periods, its temperature can rise into the range where bacteria thrive. Legionella bacteria, which can cause Legionnaires’ disease, multiply most readily in warm, stagnant water.
Schools are responsible for managing this risk under the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH Regulations, and the Health and Safety Executive’s Approved Code of Practice L8.
Good water hygiene isn’t simply about compliance—it protects staff, contractors and pupils when buildings return to normal use.
Before the school closes
Preparation should begin before the final day of term.
A comprehensive pre-holiday inspection should include:
- Reviewing the school’s Legionella risk assessment.
- Identifying areas that will receive little or no water use during the holiday.
- Confirming hot water is stored at 60°C or above, with distribution temperatures reaching at least 50°C at outlets where appropriate.
- Checking that cold water remains below 20°C where practicable.
- Ensuring any water treatment equipment, filters or softeners are operating correctly.
- Isolating or removing redundant pipework or unused outlets where possible.
Taking these steps before the building empties helps reduce risks throughout the closure period.
Should schools flush their water systems during the holidays?
In most cases, yes.
Although the Health and Safety Executive does not specifically require weekly flushing, it does require schools to implement suitable control measures based on their Legionella risk assessment.
For many schools, weekly flushing remains the simplest and most effective way of preventing prolonged water stagnation.
During the holiday period, responsible staff or contractors should flush all infrequently used outlets, including:
- Classroom taps.
- Washroom facilities.
- Showers and changing rooms.
- Drinking water fountains.
- Kitchen sinks.
- Science laboratory outlets.
- Cleaner’s sinks.
- External hose connections.
Both hot and cold water should be flushed until fresh water has fully circulated through the system, typically between two and five minutes depending on the size of the building.
Each flush should be recorded in a maintenance log, noting the date, outlet and person carrying out the task.
Don’t forget showers
Showers present a higher risk because they create fine water droplets that can be inhaled.
Before schools reopen:
- Remove and clean shower heads where required.
- Descale and disinfect them in line with your water hygiene programme.
- Flush showers thoroughly before allowing them to be used.
If showers are flushed during the holidays, care should be taken to minimise aerosol generation wherever possible.
Preparing for September
The recommissioning process before staff and pupils return is arguably the most important stage of the school’s water hygiene programme.
Before reopening, schools should:
- Flush every water outlet throughout the building.
- Check hot and cold water temperatures at sentinel outlets.
- Verify water heaters are operating correctly.
- Restart any equipment that was isolated during the closure.
- Inspect storage tanks where required.
- Complete any scheduled maintenance identified in the Legionella risk assessment.
Where significant changes have been made to the water system—or concerns have been identified—additional microbiological sampling may also be recommended by your competent water hygiene contractor.
Keep accurate records
Water hygiene management doesn’t end with carrying out the work.
Schools should maintain clear records of:
- Weekly flushing activities
- Temperature monitoring
- Cleaning and disinfection of shower heads
- Water system inspections
- Maintenance and remedial works
- Any issues identified and actions taken
These records provide evidence that the school is effectively managing its legal responsibilities and can prove invaluable during inspections or audits.
How Wodr can help
Managing water hygiene involves more than simply paying your water bill.
As a specialist business water utilities broker, Wodr works with schools, academies and multi-academy trusts to help them manage every aspect of their water services. Alongside helping organisations secure competitive water contracts, we can connect customers with trusted water hygiene specialists, support effective water management, identify opportunities to reduce water consumption and improve operational efficiency across their estates.
Whether you’re responsible for a single primary school or an entire academy trust, taking a proactive approach to water hygiene helps protect your people, remain compliant and ensure your buildings are ready for a safe return in September.
Need support with your school’s water services?
If you’d like advice on water management, supplier performance or reducing water costs across your education estate, the Wodr team is here to help.