HSG274 Legionnaires’ Disease Part 2, The Control of Legionella Bacteria in Hot and Cold Water Systems, together with ACoP L8 guidance, recommends that all cold water storage tanks are visually inspected on a regular basis and are subject to annual cleaning and disinfection.
At CLIRA Ltd, we provide a comprehensive cold water storage tank cleaning and disinfection service designed to meet these requirements while also delivering a safer and more environmentally responsible approach.
We use silver peroxide, a catalysed and highly stable form of hydrogen peroxide, often described as a “designer biocide” due to its effectiveness across a wide range of water systems, including storage tanks. Its key advantage is that it is non-hazardous in use and highly effective at removing biofilm and sediment, which are key contributors to bacterial regrowth within water systems.
Unlike some traditional disinfectants, silver peroxide penetrates and helps break down biofilm rather than simply treating surface contamination. This is important because biofilm can protect bacteria and allow them to persist within water systems even after routine cleaning. By addressing this, silver peroxide supports a more thorough and longer-lasting level of system hygiene.
Chlorine dioxide is one of the more commonly used disinfectants in water treatment; however, it does not effectively remove biofilm and can present additional health and safety considerations during use, particularly in the event of atmospheric leakage, which in some cases may require building evacuation procedures.
Silver peroxide, by contrast, is approved by the Drinking Water Inspectorate for use in potable water systems and does not impart any taste, odour or taint to treated water. This makes it a suitable option for applications where water quality and user experience are important considerations.
Overall, silver peroxide offers a cleaner, safer and more environmentally responsible method of disinfecting water storage tanks while maintaining full compliance with HSG274 Part 2 and relevant standards such as BS EN 8558.
CLIRA Ltd provides a complete tank cleaning and disinfection service designed to support compliance, improve system hygiene and reduce Legionella risk in a controlled and professional manner.
