Inside of a tap/faucet (hot, cold or mixer- remove aerator if possible to swab further inside)

Inside of a shower hose, inside the shower head, or on the surface of the shower head.

Inside a garden hose or hose nozzle.

The waterline of a hot tub, swimming pool or spa bath.

Inside several of the water jets of a hot tub or whirlpool/spa bath

Filter from a hot tub, swimming pool or fountain etc.

Inside the sprinkler jets on a fountain or sprinkler system.

Inside an air conditioning unit

Any water source where you can see a slimy film growing (biofilm)

See our videos for more guidance on how to swab water outlets.

To perform the HydroHawk Legionella Swab Test, please refer to the enclosed illustrated instruction leaflet in your test kit which details the test procedure in simple to use steps. You also download a copy here.

The HydroHawk Legionella Swab Test is a lateral flow test and works in the same way as a Covid test or pregnancy test. It uses special colour tagged antibodies which attach to surface particles on Legionella pneumophila sg1 bacteria if present. These then get trapped on the test line and show up as a red or pink line.

Any distinct line at the T area, no matter how faint is a positive result. This may look pink. The strength of the test line is directly related to how much Legionella pneumophila sg1 was in the sample. Any distinct line suggests Legionella pneumophila sg1 was detected and it is recommended you act accordingly to keep yourself safe. Even small amounts of this bacteria can cause illness if inhaled. All of the examples below show positive results:

The HydroHawk Legionella Swab Test is a screening test only for Legionella pneumophila sg1 and cannot be used to verify if water is safe for drinking or not.

If you get a positive test result on your HydroHawk Legionella test strip then we recommend that you do not use the water source the sample came from for any reason until appropriate action has been taken.

If your HydroHawk test gives a positive result then it is recommended that you do not use the water source that you took the sample from until further action has been taken. What action you take will depend on the source of the sample. Some examples are:

If the source is a tap or shower in a hotel or rental apartment, speak with an appointed person regarding the next steps. You might want to show them the test.

If the source is a tap or shower in your own home, seek advice from a professional water treatment specialist.

If the source is a hot tub or swimming pool, seek advice on cleaning from the manufacturer’s guidelines or seek advice from a professional water treatment specialist or plumber.

If the source is a filter, seek advice on cleaning or replacing the filter from the manufacturer’s guidelines.

If the source is a garden hose, consider replacing the hose.

The decisions and actions that you take following a positive HydroHawk test result are at your own discretion. We cannot accept responsibility for the action taken or any ongoing risk.

If, after 25 minutes from adding the sample, there is no red line under the C mark, or the line under the C mark is very faint (light pink) then the test has not been conducted properly and the result is INVALID. Repeat the test with a new test kit.

If, after 25 minutes from adding the sample, your HydroHawk test still has blue lines on it (1 or 2), or has some red staining at the left hand side of the test window (see examples below) then your test has not run properly and the result is INVALID. The most likely reason for this is that there wasn’t enough sample added to the test strip, either due to bubbles in the pipette, or not using the pipette correctly. For details on correct use of the pipette refer to the instruction leaflet included in the box. You can also download a copy here.

No, the test is for single use only. If you need another test, click here.

The HydroHawk Legionella Swab Test should be read between 25 and 30 minutes after applying the sample. If the time to read the test is much longer than this the result cannot be guaranteed as accurate and we recommend running another test.

No, the test is a swab test and should only be used as set out in the instructions included in every box.

Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1  (L. pneumophila sg1) is a waterborne bacteria which lives in the environment but can become hazardous to humans when it enters the built environment where it can grow easily. L. pneumophila sg1 is the most serious cause of Legionnaires’ disease globally. Legionnaires’ disease is a dangerous, sometimes deadly infection. See our Why Test page for more information.

A biofilm is a thick layer of organisms such as bacteria and amoebae which join together in communities to form slimy layers on surfaces associated with water. The biofilm protects the bacteria and other organisms from environmental factors such as chemicals or heat treatments that might otherwise destroy them. Bacteria such as Legionella pneumophila sg1 survive and grow in biofilms. Legionella and other organisms can break off from the biofilm to infect the surrounding water source.

No. You will need to test the water to determine whether there is Legionella bacteria in it.

Legionella bacteria can colonise and grow in man-made water systems in the built environment. Water sources maintained at a warm temperature (20^oC-45^oC), or where use is sporadic can be an extra risk. Legionella bacteria can infect humans when it is breathed in via aerosols and water droplets in the air. Any water source contaminated with Legionella bacteria that can release sprays, mists or fine water droplets into the air have the potential to cause human illness. Testing your water for Legionella can reduce the risk of infections.

No. The HydroHawk Legionella Swab Test is for testing water systems for the presence of Legionella bacteria and it cannot be used as a diagnostic test in humans to check for illness associated with Legionnaires’ disease. If you are concerned about symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, seek advice from a medical professional.

Anyone can potentially become infected if exposed to Legionella bacteria, however there are some risk factors which can make people more susceptible to illness and which may increase the risk of more severe infections. Risk factors include:

Aged over 50 years old

Male

Smokers

Immunocompromised individuals

Individuals with pre-existing lung conditions

Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia. It is a serious illness that can be fatal. It can take 2 to 14 days after being exposed to Legionella bacteria to develop Legionnaires’ disease symptoms. However, there have been cases where it has taken even longer.

Typical Symptoms:

Cough

Fever

Headaches

Muscle aches

Shortness of breath

Other Symptoms:

Confusion

Diarrhea

Nausea

You can find out more about the symptoms here.