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News

Guidance for Building Water System Flushing After Closures

February 9, 2021
Guidance for Building Water System Flushing After Closures

Is your facility reopening soon?  Flush the pipes to ensure optimal water quality.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, some commercial or residential properties may have been left empty or were not at full occupancy for an extended period.  As stay-at-home orders are lifted and plans are made to reoccupy these buildings, owners are encouraged to address the water quality of these locations. 

When homes and businesses are returned to service after an extended period of discontinued service (e.g., one week or more), a thorough flushing process is needed to clean out water that may have been sitting dormant in the building’s plumbing.  Stagnant water, for even as little as two days, can lead to low or undetectable levels of disinfectant, such as chlorine.  Proper flushing can restore chlorine levels and ensure water quality for the premises.

Ensure that your water system is safe to use after a prolonged shutdown by conducting a flush of your commercial or residential property’s internal plumbing.  Flushing instructions vary depending on the size and complexity of the structure and its plumbing.  In any case, we encourage owners of commercial and residential properties to follow the guidance below when reoccupying a building. 

Visit the sites below to learn more about building water system flushing. 

  • CDC Guidance for Building Water Systems
  • Environmental Science, Policy and Research Institute (ESPRI) Guidance
  • Click here to view Fairfax Water’s Guidance for flushing building water systems
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Fairfax Water is exempt from Federal, State and local sales and use taxes (ID # 54-6025290)