EPA’s Maintaining or Restoring Water Quality in Buildings with Low or No Use for building owners and managers includes proactive steps to protect public health by minimizing water stagnation during closures, offering actions to address building water quality prior to opening. The Agency also released a Restoring Water Quality in Buildings for Reopening checklist for download.

CDC’s Guidance for Building Water Systems outlines 8 Steps to take before your business/building reopens  to ensure the safety of building water systems and devices after a prolonged shutdown. 

Louisville Water’s Flushing Guidance is aimed primarily at small and medium sized commercial buildings that do not have facilities personnel, but can be used broadly. The guidance includes a short video that illustrates how to flush the water lines, as well as an infographic with flushing instructions.

Purdue University Center for Plumbing Safety organized plumbing, water, and public health experts from across North America to complete a rapid response study that is freely available and focusses on reducing the risk of harmful water in low to no occupancy buildings, including actions that can be taken now.

The Environmental Science, Policy & Research Institute (ESPRI) and AH Environmental Consultants, Inc. developed a roadmap for flushing contaminants from buildings and return the plumbing system water quality back to pre-stagnation conditions. Because each building is different, flushing will need to be tailored accordingly.

Phigenics, a company that helps facility owners and managers develop and implement comprehensive water management programs, developed a webinar on “Building Water Management During the COVID-19 Crisis” that is free to view.

EPA and CDC’s Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools and Homes. This jointly developed guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is intended for all Americans, whether you own a business, run a school, or want to ensure the cleanliness and safety of your home. This plan is part of the larger United States Government plan and focuses on cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools, and can also be applied to your home. You’ll also want to check out the Cleaning and Disinfecting Decision Tool.

CWWA released two guidance documents related to COVID-19 and reopening. Safely Reopening Buildings: General Guidance for Water Utilities provides advice on steps to take to prepare for increased flushing, recommendations for distributing information to building owner, and tips for communicating with the public and media. The second document is a fact sheet, Safely reopening Buildings for Building Owners and Operators, providing general instruction for flushing and cleaning water systems, and directs to more details resources and guidance. 

State Resources:

• Ohio EPA released last month their Guidance for Premise Plumbing Water Service Restoration that “offers considerations for water service restoration to minimize risks associated with water quality degradation related to stagnant water.”
• Washington Department of Health recently released a COVID-19 Guidance for Legionella and Building Water System Closures. The guidance focuses on reducing “pathogen and corrosion concerns that occur when there is a large drop in building water use.”