Buildings that have been closed or dormant for 4 weeks or more require steps to be taken before re-opening to ensure water is safe for use and/or consumption.
This includes dumping, flushing, servicing, and cleaning of any water system (drinking water treatment, distribution, storage and plumbing).
If water has been sitting in the pipes for a few hours, be sure to run cold water for at least 5 minutes before using. Or, flush the toilet, shower, or do laundry to clear the standing water from your pipes, then run cold water for 1 to 2 minutes before using.
Consideration should be given to all water systems and especially to those systems of higher risk such as residential systems, restaurants, hotels, motels, cottages, schools and child care centres, gyms and any system with showers.
Vulnerable components of systems including filters, tanks, faucet filters, taps, showers, ice machines, fountains, food preparation, or other decorative water features, eyewash stations, humidifiers and other systems involving evaporative cooling (e.g. certain HVAC), hot tubs, pools, water features that generate aerosols (fountains, spas, etc.), parts of the water system that are used by children, and, components of the water system used by elderly people and susceptible people.
Water left in the system before the closure will be old/stagnant, likely elevated in corrosion products (including lead and copper), low in disinfectant where it is used, or elevated in disinfection by-products where disinfection is used. Plumbing pathogens will have had the opportunity to proliferate in the bulk water and biofilm.
The Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) has developed the following documents to help support building owners during this process.
Drinking water comes from many different sources such as lakes, rivers, and shallow, dug, or drilled wells. We use this water every day for drinking, brushing our teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, bathing, and cleaning dishes. Drinking water in Ontario must meet specific standards set by Health Canada. Water test results can be compared to the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.
Our Health Unit works with different community partners to make sure everyone has access to clean drinking water. These partners include: