Cold Water Storage Tank Aftercare Services
Tricel Water UK, in partnership with Hydraclean Ltd, offers four aftercare packages for cold water storage tanks. Each service is defined against UK regulatory standards – ACoP L8, HSG274, and BS8558:2015 – and all sampling is tested by independent UKAS accredited laboratories.
UK GRP Cold Water Tank Market — Key Data
Four packages from annual cleaning to quarterly Legionella sampling
Years of GRP cold water storage tank manufacturing experience by Tricel
Years of water hygiene experience by Hydraclean
All sampling tested by UKAS accredited independent laboratories
The partnership
Tricel Water UK and Hydraclean Ltd
Tricel Water UK manufactures and supplies cold water storage tanks across the UK. Hydraclean Ltd is a water hygiene and Legionella compliance specialist — a member of the Legionella Control Association with over 40 years of experience, more than 50 employees, and a team of qualified L8 risk assessors and water treatment specialists operating from offices in Bredbury, Greater Manchester, and Biggleswade, Bedfordshire.
Together we provide a complete package: tanks through Tricel, and the ongoing maintenance and compliance monitoring required under ACoP L8 through Hydraclean — co-ordinated from a single point of contact.
Applicable regulations and standards
Regulatory context
Why cold water tank maintenance is a legal obligation
Cold water storage tanks in commercial and multi-residential buildings are a recognised environment for the growth of Legionella pneumophila and other waterborne pathogens. Stagnant water, accumulated sediment, debris, and temperatures between 20 °C and 45 °C can allow Legionella to reach concentrations that present a risk to building occupants.
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers and those who control premises have a duty to manage this risk. The HSE’s Approved Code of Practice — ACoP L8 — specifies how that duty must be discharged. Failure to comply with ACoP L8 can be used as evidence of a breach of health and safety law in criminal proceedings.
The three principal documents governing cold water storage tank maintenance in the UK are:
COMPLIANCE
HSE ACoP L8
Requires a written Legionella risk assessment, a written scheme of control, implementation of control measures, and retention of records.
COMPLIANCE
HSG274 Part 2
Provides technical guidance on hot and cold water systems, including minimum inspection and cleaning frequencies for cold water storage tanks.
COMPLIANCE
BS8558:2015
Specifies procedures for the design, installation, testing, and maintenance of domestic water services within buildings. All cleaning and chlorination under these packages is carried out in compliance with this standard.
Healthcare premises are additionally required to comply with HTM 04-01. Hydraclean holds the qualifications required to deliver compliant services across all sectors, including health and social care.
The four aftercare services
What each service covers
Each package can be taken individually or combined to form a complete maintenance schedule. All work is carried out by Hydraclean’s qualified hygienists, and compliance records are held on Watercompliance.online.
01
annual
Cold Water Tank Cleaning and Chlorination
Cold water storage tanks accumulate sediment, biofilm, scale, and debris over time. These conditions allow Legionella and other pathogens to establish. Annual cleaning removes accumulated contamination from the tank interior; disinfection through chlorination returns the system to a safe and compliant state.
All work is carried out in compliance with BS8558:2015. A written report is issued on completion and uploaded to the client’s Watercompliance.online account.
Regulatory basis:
02
every 6 months
Cold Water Storage Tank Inspection
Regular physical inspection identifies deterioration, debris, insulation defects, and fitting failures before they present a risk. HSG274 and BS8558 require inspection at a minimum annually; 6-monthly is recommended for commercial and multi-residential buildings and is the frequency included in this package.
Each inspection covers interior and exterior condition, access covers, float valves, overflow, water temperature, insulation, and screen integrity. All findings are recorded on Watercompliance.online.
Regulatory basis:
03
every 3 months
Full Potable Microbiological Sampling
Quarterly microbiological sampling confirms the water held in the tank is safe to drink and use. Hydraclean collects samples from site; these are sent to independent UKAS accredited laboratories for analysis covering total viable count (TVC), E. coli, coliforms, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Results and certificates are uploaded to Watercompliance.online. Where results fall outside acceptable parameters, Hydraclean advises on corrective action.
Regulatory basis:
04
every 3 months
Legionella Sampling from Cold Water Storage Tank
Legionella sampling provides direct evidence that the cold water system is under adequate biological control. Samples are taken by Hydraclean’s trained hygienists and sent to independent UKAS accredited laboratories for culture analysis. Results are reported in colony forming units per litre (cfu/L) and assessed against the action levels in HSG274.
A quarterly frequency supports trend monitoring and provides early indication of any deterioration between other scheduled interventions.
Regulatory basis:
Aftercare packages
Four packages, available individually or combined
Contact Tricel Water UK for pricing and to discuss the most appropriate combination for your building type and risk profile.
|
Package
|
Frequency
|
Key standard
|
UKAS lab
|
Portal report
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Annual Cleaning & Chlorination Full tank clean, disinfection, and chlorination per BS8558:2015
|
Annual
|
BS8558:2015 · ACoP L8
|
-
|
|
|
6-Monthly Inspection Physical inspection of interior, exterior, fittings, and condition
|
Every 6 months
|
HSG274 · BS8558 · ACoP L8
|
-
|
|
|
3-Monthly Full Potable Sampling TVC, E. coli, coliforms, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
|
Every 3 months
|
ACoP L8 · HSG274
|
|
|
|
3-Monthly Legionella SamplingCulture analysis in cfu/L, assessed against HSG274 action levels
|
Every 3 months
|
ACoP L8 · HSG274 · HTM 04-01
|
|
|
All packages include access to the Watercompliance.online compliance portal. Packages may be taken individually or combined. Contact Tricel Water UK for pricing.
Compliance documentation
Watercompliance.online
All Tricel aftercare clients receive login credentials for Watercompliance.online — Hydraclean Ltd’s cloud-based compliance portal. It replaces paper log books with a secure, searchable record of all maintenance activity.
The portal is particularly valuable during regulatory audits, building handovers, and due diligence processes. Facilities managers can provide auditors with direct access to dated compliance records, rather than assembling paper files.
Site visit records and PPM schedules
All scheduled visits, results, and planned maintenance schedules held at site level, accessible to facilities managers at any time.
Instant access to reports and certificates
Sampling certificates, inspection reports, and cleaning records stored as searchable PDFs — available immediately, without waiting for documents to be sent.
Fault tracking and remedial actions
Faults logged during site visits are flagged immediately. Track each item from identified → in progress → resolved, with a full audit trail.
Client temperature monitoring and flushing logs
Facilities teams record their own tap temperature readings and flushing logs directly. Out-of-tolerance readings are flagged automatically.
Who the aftercare packages are for
Designed for professionals who specify, manage, and maintain buildings
01
M&E Consultants and Specifiers
Specify aftercare at the design stage alongside Tricel tanks. All services reference named standards, making them straightforward to include in employer’s requirements and O&M documentation.
02
M&E Engineers and Contractors
Pass clients to a managed compliance service from handover day, backed by UKAS accredited sampling and documented reporting — a clear inclusion in the project handover package.
03
Facilities Managers
Meet the ACoP L8 duty of care without building in-house expertise. All records on Watercompliance.online are ready for audits or inspections at any time.
04
Building Owners
As the ACoP L8 dutyholder, you are responsible for Legionella risk management in your building. UKAS accredited sampling and documented records provide the evidence base that your duty of care is being met.
05
Main Contractors
Offer a full lifecycle package to clients — supply, installation, and ongoing compliance maintenance — through a single procurement. Tricel and Hydraclean can be included in tender submissions as a combined provision.
06
Healthcare and Education Estates
Premises subject to HTM 04-01 or CQC oversight can rely on Hydraclean’s qualified hygienists and UKAS accredited sampling. All services comply with the relevant sector-specific guidance.
Get in touch
Request pricing or ask a question
Whether you are specifying for a new project, reviewing compliance for an existing building, or exploring options ahead of a handover, our aftercare team can provide pricing, technical advice, and regulatory guidance.
Tricel Water UK
Response within one business day
No obligation — advice is free
Service available throughout the UK
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about cold water tank aftercare
How often does a cold water storage tank need to be cleaned?
Under HSG274 Part 2 and ACoP L8, cold water storage tanks must be cleaned and disinfected at least once per year. The annual cleaning and chlorination package meets this requirement, with all work carried out to BS8558:2015. A written report is issued on completion.
How often should a cold water storage tank be inspected?
HSG274 and BS8558 require inspection at a minimum annually. Six-monthly inspection is recommended for commercial and multi-residential buildings and is the frequency included in Package 2. Each inspection covers interior and exterior condition, water temperature, float valve operation, screen integrity, insulation, and access covers.
Who is the responsible person for Legionella compliance?
Under ACoP L8, the dutyholder is the employer or any person who has control of premises — in practice, typically the building owner, landlord, or facilities management team. The dutyholder must ensure a written Legionella risk assessment and written scheme of control are in place, and that control measures are implemented and recorded. Hydraclean can act as the appointed responsible person or assist in-house teams in discharging this duty.
Are sampling results from an accredited laboratory?
Yes. All Legionella and full potable microbiological samples collected by Hydraclean are tested by independent laboratories accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to ISO 17025. UKAS accreditation is the recognised UK standard for testing laboratory competence and produces legally defensible, traceable results.
What happens if a sample result is unsatisfactory?
Where results exceed the HSG274 action levels or potable water standards, Hydraclean advises immediately on corrective action — which may include flushing, shock chlorination, temperature adjustment, or further investigation. All actions are recorded on Watercompliance.online and a confirmatory sample is taken once measures have been implemented.
Can the aftercare packages apply to tanks not supplied by Tricel?
Yes. Hydraclean’s services apply to cold water storage tanks from any manufacturer. Tricel tank customers can arrange aftercare at the point of order, co-ordinating supply, installation, and ongoing compliance maintenance from a single point of contact.
Does the Building Safety Act 2022 change CWST maintenance obligations?
The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced the Principal Accountable Person (PAP) role for higher-risk residential buildings (seven storeys or more, or 18 metres or more in height, with at least two residential units). The PAP carries specific building safety obligations. Maintaining documented evidence of Legionella risk management — including cleaning, inspection, and sampling records — supports compliance with those obligations. Contact Tricel or Hydraclean to discuss the implications for your building.
Technical articles
In-depth technical guidance
Each article covers a specific element of the aftercare programme in detail, with the regulatory basis, practical scope, and documentation requirements explained.
STANDARDS & COMPLIANCE
Cold Water Tank Cleaning and Chlorination
What cold water tank cleaning involves, when it must be done, what BS8558:2015 specifies, and how to document the work to meet ACoP L8.
STANDARDS & COMPLIANCE
Cold Water Storage Tank Inspection
Frequency, scope, and documentation requirements for cold water storage tank inspection in commercial and multi-residential buildings under HSG274 and BS8558.
STANDARDS & COMPLIANCE
Legionella &Microbiological Sampling
Why sampling is required, what Legionella culture and full potable tests cover, what UKAS accreditation means, and how to interpret results against HSG274 action levels.
STANDARDS & COMPLIANCE
Water Hygiene Compliance Records: What ACoP L8 Requires
What records must be kept under ACoP L8, how Watercompliance.online meets those requirements, and how it reduces the burden of audit preparation.
COMPANY NEWS
Water Storage Tank Aftercare Partnership Announcement
Tricel Water UK will now offer cold water storage tank customers a structured programme of aftercare services delivered by water hygiene specialist Hydraclean.
Brochure
Aftercare Service Brochure in Parthership with Hydraclean
Download the Tricel Water UK Cold Water Storage Tank Aftercare Brochure, in partnership with Hydraclean.
COLD WATER STORAGE TANK AFTERCARE
Enquire about aftercare for your cold water storage tank
Contact Tricel Water UK to discuss the right aftercare combination for your building and to receive current pricing from our aftercare team.
These guides are provided for general guidance and information purposes only. It does not constitute engineering advice and should not be relied upon as the sole basis for design decisions. © 2026 Tricel Water. All rights reserved.
