Staffordshire-based water safety expert and business owner Lizzie Ward is to address a national industry exhibition on spa pool and hot tub safety.
Lizzie, the Managing Director of SAS Water Ltd has been asked to speak at SPATEX 2024 by industry body, the Legionella Control Association (LCA).
To be chosen from hundreds of LCA members to speak at SPATEX is a major accolade for Lizzie and SAS Water, which is based in Leek, and has 30 years’ experience operating across England and Wales.
SPATEX, billed as the pool, spa, and wellness show, is held at the Coventry Building Society Arena from 6 February to 8 February 2024.
Lizzie will speak on the importance of risk assessments and spa pools on the final day of the expo.
She said: “It’s an honour to be asked to present at SPATEX on behalf of the LCA. I’m passionate about educating business owners and the public on legionella safety, so I see it as both a privilege and opportunity to raise awareness on a health risk that can be overlooked.
“Public Health England states that spa pools and hot tubs are a recognised risk source for Legionnaires’ Disease, and this means there is a clear duty of care for building owners and managers.
“Legionnaires’ Disease is a form of pneumonia. Public Health statistics show around 500 people are known to suffer from it each year and experts regard this as a low figure as many cases are thought to be misdiagnosed.”
“In the USA, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention say one in 10 people who get sick from Legionnaires’ Disease will die due to complications from their illness.”
Spa pools and hot tubs are considered a significant risk because the warm temperature is an ideal breeding ground for legionella bacteria. Hot tubs and pools use jets to agitate water, producing bubbles, and this aspirated water releases aerosols into the air.
Business owners have a duty to understand and monitor risk. A legionella risk assessment is a requirement under the law and involves a detailed examination of a water system.
