Has your building been closed for a few weeks? Flush the water pipes!

While Coronavirus has not been proven to be transmitted through water systems, due to efforts to stop the spread of COVID19, the extended closures and low occupancy in many businesses and buildings may have compromised the quality of water within these structures.

Reentering and using water within these businesses will require some steps to restore normal high water quality. During periods of stagnation and low use, water and moist environments can naturally promote bacterial growth, creating potential health risks.

Points susceptible to bacterial growth:

• Faucets, aerators and shower heads
• Drinking water fountains/coolers
• Water filter systems
• Ice Machines
• Hot water heaters
• Eye wash stations
• Hot tubs/Saunas

A systematic approach to restore quality water and reduce risk can be accomplished in a few steps. Contact an experienced contractor if you need assistance in proper flushing, draining and refilling hot water heaters, or for maintaining ice machines. Follow all instructions provided with whole house, premise, and point of use filtering systems:

1. Remove whole house, premise, and point of use filter cartridges. Replace with new.
2. Remove aerators and screens from the end of water faucets and clean with a weak bleach solution such as 10% bleach in water. Soaking the aerator/screens and o rings in the weak bleach solution for a minute will be sufficient.
3. Flush cold water for 2-5 minutes at each point of use.
4. Replace aerators and screens.