Water & Indoor Air Quality

Safe water. Clean air. Healthy workplaces – on any site, anywhere.

Access to safe drinking water and clean air is a fundamental workplace right – and a genuine operational imperative for resource sector operations where workers spend extended periods in remote or enclosed environments.

Contaminated water or poor indoor air quality can cause acute illness, undermine workforce morale and – in the case of Legionella, mould, or chemical contamination – create serious public health and liability exposure.

RED OHMS Group provides water sampling and testing, indoor air quality assessment and management plan development for clients across mining, resources, commercial and industrial sectors. Our hygienists are experienced in the specific challenges of remote mine site water systems, accommodation villages, process water interfaces and the complex built environments of modern industrial facilities – from control rooms and laboratories to workshops and HVAC-served administration buildings.

We apply the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG), the NHMRC guidance on Legionella management and state-specific regulatory requirements for water quality to deliver assessments that are scientifically credible, practically actionable and aligned to your legal obligations as a site operator and employer.

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Capabilities

Collection of water samples from potable water systems, cooling towers, site bore water, process water and accommodation village reticulation systems, with laboratory analysis for microbiological parameters (including Legionella and HPC bacteria), physical and chemical parameters and heavy metals as appropriate.

Assessment of indoor environments for key IAQ parameters including carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), temperature, relative humidity and biological contaminants including mould. Based on ASHRAE 62.1 standards and the WHO guidelines for indoor air quality.

Development of documented management plans for potable water systems (including Legionella risk management plans to AS/NZS 3666 and state requirements) and indoor air quality management systems, with monitoring schedules, response protocols and record-keeping frameworks.

Measurement and evaluation of mechanical and natural ventilation systems in occupied buildings, processing areas and accommodation facilities, assessing airflow rates, air distribution and fresh air supply against relevant standards and occupancy requirements.

Legionella: A Priority Risk in Remote Site Water Systems

Legionella bacteria – the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially fatal pneumonia – thrive in warm water systems and can proliferate rapidly in cooling towers, hot water systems, spa pools and any water infrastructure where temperature, stagnation and scale or biofilm provide favourable conditions.

Remote mine site accommodation villages, with their complex water reticulation systems and variable occupancy patterns, present specific Legionella risk management challenges.

RED OHMS Group provides Legionella risk assessments, water sampling and quantitative analysis and the development of Legionella risk management plans (LRMPs) that satisfy the requirements of AS/NZS 3666, state regulations and site-specific operational realities. We help operators understand which systems carry the greatest risk, implement proportionate monitoring and control programmes and maintain the documentation required to demonstrate due diligence.

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FAQs

Monitoring frequency depends on the complexity of the water system, the source water quality, the treatment processes in place and any historical compliance issues. At a minimum, microbiological testing (E. coli and total coliforms) should be conducted monthly for reticulated potable water systems, with chemical testing at least annually. Where Legionella risks are present, more frequent testing – typically monthly or quarterly – may be required. RED OHMS will design a monitoring programme appropriate to your system and risk profile.

Common indicators of IAQ problems include unexplained headaches, fatigue, eye or throat irritation and respiratory symptoms that improve when workers leave the building (sometimes described as ‘sick building syndrome’). Visible mould, musty odours and excessive dust are more obvious signs. Elevated CO₂ levels – typically above 1,000 ppm – indicate inadequate fresh air supply and are associated with reduced concentration, increased fatigue and higher rates of absenteeism.

Yes. In Western Australia, the Health (Legionella) Regulations 2000 require operators of cooling towers to register the system, develop and implement a risk management plan and conduct regular monitoring and maintenance. Similar requirements apply in other states. Operating a cooling tower without a current LRMP exposes operators to significant regulatory and liability risk. RED OHMS can assist with registration, LRMP preparation and ongoing monitoring.