Business owners, facility managers advised to flush building plumbing systems before reopening
(April 29, 2020) As state, county and local officials begin to prepare to allow for some businesses and facilities to reopen, health officials and water experts are advising building owners and managers to take steps to ensure water safety in buildings that have been closed the past several weeks.
Stagnate water in plumbing systems could harbor bacteria or higher concentrations of some metals that could be present in building plumbing systems. Under normal occupancy and water use conditions, water flows through these plumbing systems and is kept fresh and healthy, avoiding the harmful effects of stagnant water. The fix for stagnant water in plumbing is to flush it through building pipes and replace it with fresh water from a connected public water system prior to re-opening a building or facility.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), and Purdue University’s Center for Plumbing Safety have resources available to help building owners, facility managers and local water providers prepare for the resumption of operations.
- The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention published Guidance for Building Water Systems to ensure water safety after a prolonged shutdown.
- The American Water Works Association has a number of resources related to waterborne pathogens and water quality in general as well as this on water shutoffs and returns to service.
- Purdue University has information and resources available related to building water safety.
- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides broad information related to COVID-19 in the workplace.
Source: North Texas Municipal Water District
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