How It Works
Knowing your hot tub, pool or ice bath water is safe shouldn't require a science degree or a commercial testing contract. Our kits give you professional microbiological analysis from a UKAS-accredited laboratory, delivered to your door and back with no fuss.
1. Order Your Kit
Your kit arrives containing everything you need: a sterile swab, step-by-step instructions and a Laboratory Submission Form. Your Royal Mail Special Delivery return postage is included.
2. Activate Your Return Postage
Before taking your sample, activate your prepaid return postage at homewatertesting.co.uk/return. We'll email your Royal Mail QR code, ready to show at the Post Office. No printer needed. Please activate the day before you plan to sample.
3. Take Your Sample
Follow the simple instructions to collect your swab. It takes just a few minutes and needs no specialist equipment. Take your sample Monday to Thursday only, and post it the same day.
4. Post It Back
Take your sealed box to your local Post Office on the same day your sample is collected, before your branch's final collection. Show your Royal Mail QR code at the counter and they'll print your label for you. Please do not use a post box.
5. Receive Your Results
Your professional results report will be emailed within a few working days of your sample arriving at the laboratory. Produced by qualified microbiologists, it tells you clearly what was found and at what levels, with practical next steps if anything needs attention.
What We Test For
Bacteria Test Kit — the key bacteria associated with hot tub and pool illness: E. coli, total coliform bacteria and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These are the organisms most commonly linked to hot tub folliculitis, ear infections and gastrointestinal illness, and the ones most likely to be present even when your water looks and smells completely normal.
Legionella Swab Test — detects Legionella bacteria, the cause of Legionnaires' disease. Warm water systems like hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms are among the highest-risk environments for Legionella growth, and it cannot be detected by sight, smell or test strips.
Testing for both? Order together and return both swabs in one box, with one set of return postage.
How to take your swab test?
Taking Your Sample
Step 1 — Open the sterile swab from the handle end. Take care not to touch the swab tip.
Step 2 — Firmly swab the water. Around the waterline and inside the jet outlets.
Step 3 — Return the swab to the tube. Press firmly until fully closed.
Step 4 — Complete your paperwork. Fill in the Submission Form and the tube label. Ordered more than one test? Copy the Order Reference from each Submission Form onto its tube label, and keep each tube with its own form.
Step 5 — Pack the box. Place the swab and completed Submission Form inside the box and seal it using the enclosed sticker.
Step 6 — Post your sample. Take the sealed box to your local Post Office on the same day your sample is collected. Show your Royal Mail QR code at the counter. Do not use a post box.
For Airbnb and Holiday Let Hosts
If you rent your property commercially, you have a legal obligation under HSG282 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure your hot tub water is microbiologically safe for guests. HSG282 compliance requires microbiological testing carried out using a UKAS-accredited method. For compliant commercial testing visit our sister company at bestwatermonitoring.co.uk. Testing your own private hot tub, sauna or steam room? Our at-home kits are designed for exactly that.