Stagnant Water in Buildings Can Be Health Concern as Workplaces Reopen
(City of Birmingham, April 8, 2021)
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and many who continue to work from home, office buildings may sit vacant for quite some time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published important information for building owners to ensure the water is safe when buildings reopen.
According to the CDC, “Stagnant or standing water in a plumbing system can increase the risk for growth and spread of Legionella and other biofilm-associated bacteria. When water is stagnant, hot water temperatures can decrease to the Legionella growth range (77–108°F, 25–42°C).”
The CDC published tips to minimize Legionella risk before a business or building reopens. Tools from the CDC include: a Water Management Program Toolkit, training on Legionella Water Management Programs, water heater maintenance tips, guidance about flushing the water system, maintaining a water system, and more.
Visit http://bit.ly/cdcwatersystems to access this important information from the CDC, and visit www.bhamgov.org/virusprevention for additional information regarding dormant water systems.