Building Water Safety

Reopening After COVID-19 Shutdown

Now that many businesses are reopening as COVID-19 restrictions are eased, facilities and property managers must address water system disruptions caused by partial or full building closures. At the start of the pandemic, many businesses were unable to follow the proper layup procedures to avoid microbiological fouling, equipment corrosion, and other detrimental situations under control. Garratt-Callahan is here to help you assess each risk, help you develop a water safety plan, and guide you through its implementation. 

Expert Water Safety Consulting for COVID-19

Clients have been relying on Garratt-Callahan’s water safety expertise throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. With over a century of water treatment experience, we serve clients across all industries, including:

• Healthcare and hospitals
• Hospitality
• Food & beverage processing plants
• Schools & universities
• Commercial properties

COVID-19 Flushing & Disinfection Programs for Building Reopening

Until buildings fully open up, sinks, tubs, floor drain traps, and even decorative water features maintain water levels to prevent deadly sewer gases — such as methane, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia — from backing up into a building. Such situations not only present breathing hazards and potential explosive events but also conditions where pathogens and waterborne illnesses can spread.

Where to Begin

As you navigate the COVID-19 pandemic — whether reopening or shutting down facilities —  your water systems need disinfection. G-C routinely helps clients answer and address these flushing and disinfection questions:

• How long do I need to flush my systems of dead water?
• When will I know the building water has successfully been turned over?
• Where in the building do I start flushing?
• How many people are needed during the flushing process?
• How many fixtures can be opened at one time?
• How will I know if biofilm has been removed?
• What tests need to be run?
• What precautions or procedures have I not thought of?

Our state-of-the-art disinfection programs provide a unique combined oxidant procedure that creates a synergistic effect. Our program allows for lower dosing, which is less corrosive yet provides an enhanced result, more than if either oxidant is used by itself.

Mitigating Equipment Damage, Legionella & Other Pathogens

Prolonged COVID-19 shutdown periods can cause equipment damage and provide breeding grounds for waterborne pathogens. 

While unoccupied, your building experienced periods of water stagnation, creating an opportunity for lead and other heavy metals to leach out from plumbing materials. Microbial growth during water stagnation is well-documented, often resulting in nitrification, growth of Legionella and biofilm-associated bacteria.

According to ASHRAE Guidelines, “testing is not a substitute for sound maintenance practice. Test results only represent the count at the time the sample was collected.” That’s why at G-C we help you manage the entire process, creating a water treatment plan that spans your entire system including maintenance, appropriate chemical treatment, water and corrosive testing, cleaning, and secondary disinfection.

Schedule an On-Site Consultation

Serious consequences can arise when not properly flushing and cleaning your building’s water systems as you reopen your building due to partial or full closure due to COVID-19. Get the help you need with water safety as you reopen your building water systems by speaking to a Garratt-Callahan Water Treatment expert. Complete the form on the left and we’ll connect with you.