As you return to the physical workplace, be aware of your role in restoring water quality.
Although the Office of Research Facilities (ORF) has taken actions to ensure that plumbing fixtures are flushed and serviced to prevent stagnant water and the formation of Legionella or other issues, there may be appliances and devices in your workplace which may require attention from you and your co-workers. Common examples include:
- flushing water in refrigerators equipped with water taps and/or ice makers
- flushing water through coffee machines and dishwashers
Residual water standing in pipes can be flushed by opening taps at all water points of use and letting the water run, typically for 5-10 minutes. Care should be taken to minimize splashing and aerosol generation during flushing.
Your appliance/device may need cleaning steps in addition to flushing (e.g., discarding ice). Consult the device manufacturer’s maintenance instructions; these may be available online, in the service/repair manual or directly from the manufacturer.
These resources provide more information on restoring water quality after reduced operations:
