It follows that water usage in UK businesses over the past couple of months has dramatically decreased, leaving water systems stagnant in places of work across the country. This blog will provide guidance to business customers on the steps required to restore drinking water systems once access to your premises is permitted once again.
As we look towards the easing of government restrictions, some businesses may find themselves able to consider the possibility of reopening and welcoming back staff, and eventually customers, over the coming weeks and months. As part of this, it is vitally important that considerations are given to the quality of water contained within systems that may have become an afterthought during the crisis.
With many UK businesses having little to no staff on-site for the duration of the lockdown period, the low usage of mains water can have several implications on the quality of drinking water. Water tank systems may have seen water in storage tanks untouched for many weeks now. Water left to sit inside systems may have warmed during this period, encouraging microbiological regrowth. The longer water sits within the pipework, the higher chance it has of absorbing plumbing metals. Clearly, this points towards an adverse quality of drinking water and potential health risks.
How can I keep my drinking water fresh and minimise health risks?
As businesses begin to explore how they will reopen to staff and members of the public, it is vitally important that building owners, head of facilities and office managers consider the dangers of a stagnant water system and begin to restore the flow of fresh water in their workplace. There are some simple steps that can be taken to recommission your drinking water system. Water UK advises the following:
Larger premises’ with more complex pipework may require more thorough flushing followed by rigorous disinfection and cleaning. In such cases, it may be wise to contact your water retailer for more information on how to best meet your requirements.
Here at Castle Water, we understand that every business is different and each one has specific water and wastewater requirements. We offer an individual, responsive service, whether you’re a small company simply looking for a water provider or you’re a large industrial customer with complex trade effluent needs. Find out more about our water and wastewater services.