The Glamping Show is over for another year and we had an enjoyable and successful three days at Stoneleigh Park. We had some very good conversations and it was great to hear that most take the treatment and testing of their hot tubs and spa water seriously.
However, we did also have some comments that quite frankly scared us, as these operators obviously knew the requirements but – for some reason – did not feel they had to comply. These included statements such as:
‘Yes, we test the water when we feel like it or remember’.
‘We change the water between bookings but don’t actually treat or test it, that’s all we need to do’.
‘Testing the water? Never do it – just add a few chemicals’.
What worries us most is that these operators believed that what they were doing, although not correct, was acceptable. They were either completely oblivious to the dangers they could be putting their clients in, or just ignoring the requirements and taking the risk that things would not go wrong. Not that the risk to health is theirs but the user’s: their clients!
So, what do you gain if you don’t test? A little bit of time and minimal cost savings. What are the potential dangers? Poor water quality, poor customer experience, loss of future bookings and potential danger to health including Legionella.
The Health & Safety Executive Guideline HSG282 came out a few years ago and it was published for a reason. Hot tubs can be a source of Legionella – this is a fact. The guideline is designed to reduce this risk. The rules and the testing requirements are not too difficult to follow and will only take a few minutes per tub to follow.
HSG282 is there for a reason – do not ignore it! After all, your customers trust you, they trust they are safe and that you are doing everything needed to ensure that safety.
You may believe that HSG282 is only a guideline, and you can turn your back on it. But one bad experience can have devastating consequences for the customer and operator which both parties may never recover from.
Follow the guidelines, test, and treat the water correctly, and keep everyone safe.
