ADDRESSING STAGNANT WATER IN BUILDINGS DUE TO COVID-19 SHUTDOWN

As the effects of coronavirus continue to spread across the country, many buildings have been shut down unexpectedly or are operating with very low occupancy.  This leaves water systems stagnant that normally have hundreds or thousands of gallons of water flowing through them. Stagnation and low flow deplete disinfectant levels and stabilize temperatures to ambient, providing ideal conditions for biofilm formation. These communities of surface-attached bacteria are directly linked to corrosion, biofouling, and the growth of Legionella and other pathogens. Once established, biofilms are difficult to remove, even with high disinfectant levels.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to be better prepared when you bring your building back online, including the following:

• Keep HVAC systems running to maintain temperature and humidity control, even without occupants.
• If not required for HVAC operation, the cooling tower, chillers, heat exchangers, and associated piping should be completely drained.
• If the cooling tower is required, specific treatment protocols can help address low load conditions.Inhibitor requirements may need to be adjusted. Do not discontinue water treatment.
• Drain decorative water fixtures completely unless approved protocols are maintained.
• Disconnect the water supply to ice machines, coffee makers, water filters, and so forth. Disinfect inlet lines and install new filters prior to startup.
• Keep water heaters set at their designated temperature (ideally at or above 120°F).
• Flush all hot and cold water fixtures (showers, faucets, eyewash stations) at least weekly, and document with log sheets. This may mitigate the necessity of disinfecting before reoccupation.
• Periodically monitor the chlorine level throughout the building to ensure flushing provides adequate residuals. C
• onsult regulatory, public health, and industry guidelines for recommended start-up procedures.

For additional information, support addressing these issues, or any other water management concerns, please contact your Chem-Aqua Water Risk Management Services Group for immediate assistance at 1-866-209-3373.