Highland Council | Legionella Risk Assessments
Client: Highland Council
Contract Type: Legionella Risk Assessments
Scope: 96 sites across the Highland Council estate
Cleartech’s Approach
In 2024, Cleartech Group Ltd was appointed to deliver Legionella Risk Assessments across 96 sites for Highland Council, spanning a diverse estate that includes large high schools, rural primary schools, landfill sites, community centres, and public toilets.
Due to the geographic spread and variation in building type and condition, a highly tailored and strategic approach was essential.
Project Planning & Coordination
From the outset, the contract demanded a close working relationship with the client’s internal teams. Led by Cleartech’s Contract Manager Liam Dolan, the Cleartech team developed a phased delivery plan focused on:
- Prioritising high-risk and public-facing sites first, such as community buildings and public toilets
- Scheduling school assessments during the summer break to ensure safe, uninterrupted access
- Creating individual RAMS (Risk Assessment & Method Statement) for every site, in line with council requirements and permit restrictions
- Mapping and verifying site asset registers and schematics to ensure accurate, up-to-date compliance data
- Holding monthly project meetings with council representatives to review progress, resolve access or data issues, and monitor remedial completions
On-Site Delivery & Technical Assessment
Each site visit is carried out by a qualified Legionella Risk Assessor and follows a consistent, detailed methodology:
System Inspection:
- Full walkthrough of the domestic water system, including hot and cold water services, storage tanks, calorifiers, TMVs, outlets, and little-used areas
- Checks for non-compliant materials (e.g. non-WRAS-approved fittings), pipework configuration, and accessibility
- Review of control measures currently in place – e.g. flushing, temperature checks, record-keeping
Hazard Identification:
- Identification of high-risk areas including deadlegs, long pipe runs, redundant assets, or poorly insulated pipework
- Assessing the presence of biofilm risk in outlets with low usage or poor turnover
- Observing areas where physical condition, stagnation, or accessibility present a greater risk of Legionella proliferation
Risk Rating & Recommendations:
- Every issue found is assigned a risk rating using a traffic light system:
- Red – Immediate Action Required
- Amber – Action Required
- Green – No Action Required
- Recommendations are clearly linked to either a control-based action (e.g. implement flushing regime) or a plumbing solution (e.g. remove deadleg, replace TMV)
- Photos, system descriptions, and clear remedial scopes are included for all red/amber items
Reporting & Follow-Up:
- Assessments are uploaded into the council’s preferred compliance system or delivered as structured PDF reports
- Cleartech works with the council to ensure all remedials are logged, costed, and programmed
- Updates to schematic diagrams and asset lists are made where discrepancies are found
- Findings are summarised and tracked through monthly client meetings
Delivery Team
- Liam Dolan – Contract Manager and strategic lead, overseeing delivery, client engagement, and programme coordination
- Rebecca – Planner managing all scheduling and access, including permit requirements and site-specific RAMS
- Kris MacKenzie – Lead Risk Assessor responsible for delivering consistent, high-quality technical surveys across the estate
- Ryan Druce – Supporting Risk Assessor, assisting with more complex or large-scale sites to ensure full system coverage
Outcomes & Impact
- Programme delivery remains on schedule and in full alignment with Highland Council’s internal compliance strategy
- Cleartech has helped to improve the accuracy of asset documentation and provided a clear roadmap for remedial works
- Strong communication and proactive planning have built a trusted partnership with the council’s compliance teams
- The approach has supported a long-term view of water hygiene management across a varied, rural estate
