PLUMBING
Reopening facilities for a post-COVID-19 world A
s the COVID-19 outbreak slowed down and companies started eyeing a return to normal, a number of new and different risks have been emerging, including concerns about reopening dormant buildings with stagnant water systems. Several weeks of zero-flow, lowflow and tempered water can result in microbiological growth, the leeching of heavy metals, and corrosion issues within plumbing systems, but there are steps that can be taken to maintain water quality and safety in plumbing systems of unused, or slightly used, buildings. The flushing of the plumbing system is one of the first steps that should be undertaken to make a building safe for returning users.
WHY FLUSH? Flushing is important because it clears out the low-quality water that has accumulated during the low-use period and replaces it with high-quality water from the municipal supply. This fresh water helps mitigate loss of protective scale as well as biofilm growth that may have emerged while the water was stagnant. These conditions need to be addressed because they proliferate the growth of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens, creating a high-risk environment for those with compromised immune systems. Proper flushing is a multi-step process that includes an initial flush, sequenced flushing, cleaning of fixtures and equipment, testing and monitoring, and any additional flushing that may be needed. It’s vital to flush the entire piping system from point-of-entry to point-of-use, paying particular attention to the parts of the water system that have the greatest opportunity to make people sick. These include:
• Faucets used for drinking water or food preparation; • Drinking fountains; • Ice machines and refrigerators with ice makers;
Quick Tip: Prior to flushing, appropriate training for staff should be completed and PPE (personal protective equipment) should be provided. 54
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• Showers; • Kitchen sink sprayers; • Water features that generate aerosols (fountains, spas, etc.); and • Parts of the water system used by children, the elderly and other susceptible people.
