FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Rebecca Laufer
717.307.1175
CAPITAL REGION WATER PROVIDES FLUSHING GUIDANCE FOR BUILDING OWNERS AND MANAGERS TO HELP ENSURE WATER QUALITY
HARRISBURG (May 14, 2020): Capital Region Water encourages property owners and managers to flush plumbing in dormant buildings prior to reopening. Safety concerns arise when the building’s pipes have not been used for long periods of time. With the Governor’s Stay-at-Home order issued several weeks ago, and potentially remaining for several more, the water resting in the building’s pipes becomes stagnant and water quality degrades. When these types of conditions exist, waterborne bacteria have a greater potential of being present in your lines. Business owners and maintenance staff can remedy this by following the flushing steps referenced below. The purpose of this flushing is to replace all water inside building piping with fresh water from Capital Region Water’s distribution system. Customers should flush the cold water first, starting with faucets closest to their water meter and move out distally. Customers should then follow manufacturer suggestions for hot water heater maintenance and flush the hot water starting at faucets closest to their water meter and move out distally. You should know when water is flushed when it turns from either slightly warm to cold, or from warm to hot (i.e., the hottest output of the water heater).
For full detailed guidance on how to properly flush your system using Capital Region Water guidelines, visit our website at: https://capitalregionwater.com/what-we-do/
The American Water Works Association, which references guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has issued guidance on building water system and devices after a prolonged shutdown. This includes building owners/operators of hotels, schools, childcare facilities, office buildings, and public buildings. Capital Region Water recommends that building owners and maintenance staff review this guidance at https://www.awwa.org/Resources-Tools/Resource-Topics/Coronavirus#10681543-shutoffs-and-return-to-service-guidance.
Customers with questions can contact Capital Region Water’s Water Quality Administrator at 888-510-0606 or via email at [email protected].