Restoring Water to Medical, Residential, and Commercial Buildings, Shutdowns, Unsafe Water

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread building shutdowns, but also emergency restoration of water to previously closed medical facilities and homes. Several serious building drinking water safety risks exist.  As people begin using the water again, they will encounter extremely stagnated water with excessive lead, copper, and bacterial concentrations, that may include harmful organisms like legionella that can cause disease outbreaks.

There are no national or industry guidelines for building reopening after extended shutdowns.

The U.S. National Science Foundation funded Purdue University researchers to rapidly address this serious public health concern. This rapid response effort involves partnerships with the American Society of Plumbing Engineers and International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and collaborations with other building water and public health experts from across North America.

[ NSF government website description of this rapid response grant ]

Questions

I am looking for...

• A list of your rapid response efforts in response to the COVID-19 outbreak
• Advice on what I should do as a public health official, building owner, or water utility
• Download a copy of the Experts Building Water Safety Study released April 7, 2020
• Guidance on how to create a building flushing plan
• Brief educational videos on building water safety topics like water quality and flushing
• Presentations delivered related to building water systems and the COVID-19 outbreak