Guidance for Businesses on Flushing

Important to Flush Stagnant Water Before Reopening – Allentown, PA – As businesses reopen, it is important to flush out stagnant water, especially in buildings used for medical purposes. While many businesses have been completely closed, some for months, toilets have not been flushed and water has not been run through internal plumbing. This means an increased opportunity for water quality to degrade and bacteria to grow, such as mold or Legionella. Flushing the plumbing system, along with machines and appliances that use water, will allow fresh, clean water to be drawn into the system. Use these resources to help:

Centers for Disease Control: 
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/building-water-system.html

Environmental Protection Agency:
https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/information-maintaining-or-restoring-water-quality-buildings-low-or-no-use

Lehigh Valley Health Network: Legionella and Dormant Water Systems: A COVID-19 Shutdown Health Risk
https://news.lvhn.org/legionella-and-dormant-water-systems-a-covid-19-shutdown-health-risk/