Job Description
Senior Water Treatment Authorised Person (AP)
Purpose of the Role
The Water Treatment Authorised Person (AP) is responsible for ensuring the safe management, monitoring, and compliance of water systems across healthcare facilities. The role will provide technical leadership and assurance that all water systems are operated and maintained in accordance with statutory requirements, healthcare guidance, and company procedures, with particular focus on legionella risk management and water hygiene compliance.
The AP will act as the competent person for water systems and support the Responsible Person in maintaining compliance with current legislation, Approved Codes of Practice, and NHS healthcare guidance.
Compliance and Governance
- Act as the designated Water Authorised Person (AP) for the healthcare contract.
- Ensure compliance with:
- Health and Safety at Work Act.
- COSHH Regulations.
- HSE Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) L8.
- HSG274 Parts 1, 2 and 3.
- HTM 04-01 Safe Water in Healthcare Premises.
- Relevant NHS and healthcare-specific guidance.
- Review, implement, and maintain water safety procedures and policies.
- Provide technical advice to site management teams regarding water hygiene and treatment matters.
- Support internal and external compliance audits.
Water Safety Management
- Manage and oversee the Water Safety Plan and Legionella Control Programme.
- Review and update risk assessments, ensuring actions are completed within agreed timescales.
- Monitor water quality performance and identify areas of concern.
- Ensure all water systems are operated safely and efficiently.
- Investigate water hygiene incidents, non-conformances, and failures, implementing corrective actions where required.
Monitoring and Inspection
- Oversee water hygiene monitoring activities including:
- Temperature monitoring.
- Tank inspections.
- Showerhead and outlet inspections.
- Flushing regimes.
- Sampling programmes.
- Closed-system water quality monitoring.
- Review monitoring records and ensure compliance documentation is maintained.
- Conduct regular compliance inspections across the estate.
Contractor and Supplier Management
- Manage specialist water treatment contractors and laboratories.
- Review contractor performance and service delivery.
- Verify that all remedial works are completed to required standards.
- Approve method statements and risk assessments relating to water treatment activities.
Training and Competency
- Provide guidance and support to Responsible Persons and operational teams.
- Deliver or coordinate water hygiene awareness training.
- Assess competency requirements and identify development needs.
- Promote best practice throughout the contract.
Reporting
- Produce monthly and quarterly compliance reports.
- Maintain accurate records and compliance documentation.
- Attend Water Safety Group meetings and present technical updates.
- Escalate significant compliance risks to senior management
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- Recognised Water Authorised Person qualification.
- Demonstrable experience managing water hygiene and treatment programmes within healthcare environments.
- Thorough knowledge of:
- ACoP L8.
- HSG274.
- HTM 04-01.
- Legionella control and prevention.
- Experience managing contractors and specialist service providers.
- Strong understanding of building services engineering systems.
- Ability to interpret technical reports and risk assessments.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Healthcare estates experience within NHS or private healthcare environments.
- Experience of CAFM and compliance management systems.
Skills and Competencies
- Strong technical and regulatory knowledge.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- High attention to detail and commitment to compliance.
- Effective problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities across a complex estate.
- Leadership and mentoring capability.
- Strong report writing and presentation skills.