WQA Offers Guidance On Sanitizing Water Treatment Systems

Document suggests best practices when recommissioning systems stagnant from not being used during COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders

General guidance on sanitizing water treatment systems after a prolonged period of stagnation – such as during the recent COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders - is available from the Water Quality Association. The document, “Guidance for Sanitizing Residential Drinking Water Treatment Systems” is available on WQA’s website as part of the association’s coronavirus resources.

“Stagnant conditions while buildings are unused could cause microbial growth that may foul or plug water treatment systems,” said Eric Yeggy, WQA Technical Affairs Director. “We wanted to aid professionals preparing to re-open a business or office building that has been shut down for a prolonged period.”

The guidelines concern general microbial fouling, not contamination from the COVID-19 virus. Neither the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor the Environmental Protection Agency has found evidence of the COVID-19 virus in drinking water. In light of the current pandemic, the guidelines do contain special procedures intended to reduce the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus while working in buildings and around other people, however.

The document suggests actions water treatment professionals can take as part of an overall recommissioning plan for restaurant and coffee shop owners, small businesses and retail establishments, commercial facilities, industrial sites and manufacturing facilities.

WQA also offers more general guidance on proper maintenance of treatment systems after shelter-in-place orders are lifted.

About WQA
WQA is a not-for-profit trade association representing the residential, commercial, and industrial water treatment industry. WQA’s education and professional certification programs have been providing industry-standardized training and credentialing since 1977. The WQA Gold Seal certification program has been certifying products that contribute to the safe consumption of water since 1959. The WQA Gold Seal program is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Standards Council of Canada (SCC).