The Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) has released water guideline documents to help members work with building owners and operators looking to re-open buildings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As provinces lift COVID-19 restrictions and look to re-open buildings, there are critical steps that governments, water utilities, and individual property owners must take to ensure the safety of their community.
According to CWWA, when buildings are closed or on low occupancy for any prolonged period, water in the building becomes stagnant and can pose serious health risks. Harmful microbiological and chemical contaminants can grow or leach into water supply.
The effect of such stagnation will vary between each building based on factors such as length of the shutdown, size of the building, number of occupants, complexity of the system, integrity of the plumbing, and maintenance performed during the shutdown.
Part One is a General Guidance for Water Utilities and provides:
- Advice on steps to take to prepare for increased flushing.
- Recommendations for distributing information to building owners.
- Guidance on communicating with the public and media.
Part Two is a Fact Sheet for Building Owners/Operators which is intended for public distribution to building owners and operators and it:
- Provides general instruction for flushing and cleaning water systems.
- Directs to more detailed resources and guidance.
The CWWA is encouraging utilities and owners to adapt the fact sheets and guideline to reflect their own situations and water parameters such as chlorine residual and temperatures.
Click here to access these guidance documents or contact the CWWA.
