Ensuring Water System Compliance After Installation or Refurbishment

Do you have a suitable plan in place for during and after construction or refurbishment of your property/water systems, for chlorination/disinfection, validation testing, through to ordinary system use? In this article, we will discuss the crucial steps to take after installing a water system/room refurbishment to guarantee compliance and reduce the risk of microbiological growth.

Timeline

1. Installation: The contractor completes the physical installation of the pipework/pipework is isolated to allow refurbishment of a room(s).
2. Chlorination or Disinfection: The system should be filled with water and chlorinated or disinfected promptly to prevent microbiological growth. Ideally within 24 hours.
3. Validation Testing: Suitable validation testing for Legionella and potable testing (if drinking water) should be conducted post disinfection. The system should not be used until validation tests return with non detected or satisfactory counts.
4. System Flushing: From awaiting test results to regular system use, the system should be flushed regularly, typically twice per week (depending on system design and size) – your water treatment specialist can advise.
5. Ordinary Use: Once validation results are satisfactory, the system can be used as intended but there must be a suitable control, monitoring and maintenance scheme in place. This should meet the minimum requirements of ACOP L8, HSG 274 and the manufacturers requirements.

Risk

To ensure a safe implementation of a new or refurbished water system, it is crucial for customers to involve a water treatment specialist from the outset. A company that provides guidance and completes the necessary work without delays is ideal. While you can engage a consultant and water treatment company separately, it is critical that lines of communication, reporting and actioning of works are seamless.

Having a strict timeline with predetermined disinfection, validation testing, and control schemes is essential. Failure to adhere to just one of these steps can lead to water system contamination.

DSW Insight

Our engineers at DSW have witnessed issues arising from the failure to follow this timeline in new builds and refurbishments, where the prescribed steps were not executed correctly, or there were delays. This could be due to cost considerations or lack of knowledge on the part of the principal contractor or their nominated specialist.

Engaging a water treatment specialist is critical to guaranteeing that all parties are aware of the necessary steps to ensure water user safety during regular use. At DSW, we go beyond compliance in all our works. For more information or to schedule a free site survey, contact us today.

By following these steps diligently and engaging with the right professionals, you can safeguard your water system and protect the health of those who use it.