Planning is always critical in ensuring appropriate levels of water hygiene management. Ideally, designing for water safety will commence at the construction phase of a new building. The need for clean water must be addressed early on as it is vital for the people using the facility. If the facility is a public building, the number of people using it could run into thousands and any outbreak of disease as a result of contaminated water could be catastrophic.
One of the vital early stages in good water hygiene management is pre-commissioning cleaning. This is essential as part of the foundation for a high standard of future supplies. Water safety must be guaranteed, and the cleanliness of closed systems from the outset makes this easier. It is also now a necessary step in new water installations operating as closed systems according to guidelines from the testing and research consultancy Building Services Research and Information Association, or BSRIA.
BSRIA guidelines are acknowledged as the best practice standards in the industry. Adhering to these guidelines is important to avoid a whole range of problems, such as accumulation of sludge or debris that causes blockages, failure of systems, leaks, or water being tainted by heavy metals or other toxins. Any of these issues could have serious consequences for water supplies and the most cost effective way of minimising these risks is to factor them in at the beginning of a project.
In existing water systems, it is vital to monitor the safety of the water to make sure there is no risk of spreading disease. Testing for Legionella and other bacteria carried in water is a responsible part of ensuring the health of those drinking the water in any environment. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (or HVAC) units can be susceptible to contamination and must be monitored not only for efficient operation, but to ensure no large outbreaks of illness result from bacteria in HVAC systems.
Along with inspections, a maintenance regime that includes cleaning and replacement of ageing components is required. Water treatments to ensure purity are another element of guaranteeing safe water.
Water treatments can be of the chemical variety, or an alternative is possible with Wallenius Advanced Oxidation Technology (AOT). This is a patented way of treating water that purifies water without the use of chemicals. It is sometimes chosen as a green alternative to traditional water treatments. It has been shown to be almost 100 per cent effective in eliminating bacteria and harmful organisms and has greatly contributed to the safety of environments such as offices, hospitals, public buildings and nursing homes.
Water management is an ongoing concern as safe drinking water is never an optional extra. Whether in the planning phase, or when a project is complete, effective monitoring and maintenance that encompasses regular assessments is both responsible and necessary. It always pays to engage top professionals when it comes to safeguarding the integrity of precious water supplies.