Taking the optimal steps to maintain water quality

Karina Jones, an IHEEM-registered Authorising Engineer (Water) at Eta Projects, and a member of the Institute’s Water Technical Platform, considers some of the most prevalent hazardous waterborne bacteria found in healthcare premises, and the key steps to keep their growth and transmission in check, and thus safeguard patients, staff, and visitors, against infection. 

In England and Wales, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) provides independent reassurance that water supplies are safe, and that drinking water quality is acceptable, while the World Health Organization produces international norms on water quality and human health via guidelines for regulation and standard setting worldwide. Water quality is determined by its origin, and can often be altered or compromised by the way water is managed – especially in large buildings, where complex domestic hot and cold water systems can provide a suitable environment for water quality to diminish – due to factors including incorrect temperature management, water stagnation, exposure to incorrect components, non-Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS)-approved installations, or the addition of biocides.

Regular testing