Page 4 - BIOFIL

/ Point-of-use filters

CONTROLLING WATERBORNE
HEALTH RISKS
Water, essential for hygiene, can also be a source The French Directive of 1st February, 2010, and
of infection if its quality is not controlled. the UK guidance HSG274 Part 2 both state that
The proliferation of bacteria (Legionella spp., monitoring for Legionella should be carried out
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, etc.) in the water supply Analysis of water samples should take place in those
or in mixers and taps may cause serious infections, locations which are deemed at risk. In France
especially for vulnerable people. this includes points-of-use that are accessible
to the public and where aerosols are generated
Water systems in all buildings open to the public (mixers, taps, showers, etc.).
should be monitored for Legionella (e.g. hotels
and holiday accommodation, campsites, detention In the UK, sampling should occur where there are
BIOFIL filter for
mixers and taps centres, etc.) and not just healthcare facilities. vulnerable people (e.g. in hospitals and care homes).
Also where Legionella control measures such as hot
The prevention of health risks associated with water temperature control or biocide treatments
pathogenic bacteria in water systems should be a are not consistently achieved.
constant concern for public buildings, and in particular
healthcare facilities (see the current French and UK When a sample identifies a Legionella count above
government guidance below). acceptable levels, the facility manager must assess
the installation to identify the necessary action
The BIOFIL range of point-of-use filters provides to protect users.
a preventative or curative solution to secure the water
quality at the point-of-use and protect the health Point-of-use micro-filters are a means to restore
of the user. the bacteriological quality of water at the point-of-use
(anti-Legionella and all-germ tap filters and shower
heads, etc.).
CURRENT GUIDANCE
BIOFIL spout filter The French High Council Report on public health
for BIOCLIP mixers and taps and the risk of Legionella from 11 July, 2013,
French and UK legislation is well established is a guide to investigation and management
in both healthcare and public buildings to reduce assistance
the risk of Legionella If sampling in public buildings shows Legionella levels
The French Circular of 22 April, 2002, recommends above the acceptable threshold, the first priority
that healthcare facility managers should create “secure is to protect users. Contaminated equipment
points-of-use” where the water quality is safe for high should be placed out-of-action and “anti-legionella”
risk users. point-of-use filters should be installed on the water
system in healthcare facilities and nursing homes.
In the UK, the Health & Safety Executive guidance
(HSG274 Part 2, 2014) recommends point-of-use filters The UK Health & Technical Memoranda 04-01
as a temporary measure until a permanent, safe solution Part C (2016) provides advice on managing
is in place. In some healthcare situations the long-term Pseudomonas aeruginosa in augmented care units
use of filters may be necessary to protect vulnerable The water quality must be guaranteed for augmented
patients. care patients. This means either: water where testing
has shown an absence of P. aeruginosa; or water
BIOFIL shower head filter
Point-of-use micro-filters with a 0.2µm membrane supplied through a POU filter; or sterile water
constitute a means for removing Legionella and (for example, for skin contact for babies in neonatal
Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water drawn off from intensive care units).
the system.

BIOFIL filter
for wall-mounted showers

1