Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/yX495mNhYZA

 

You may get more than a case of the Mondays if you hit the ol’ office water fountain after a weekend or holiday closure.  Purdue University engineers issue this warning after their in-depth study of water in a 10 year old 3 story so-called green office building.  

 

The building’s water quality was assessed for minerals and bacteria including legionella, the bug that causes Legionnaire’s disease.  The investigators found that the drinking water flowing after a weekend had elevated levels of lead, copper, and the legionella bacteria.  The concentration of the protective disinfectant chlorine in the water decreased to suboptimal levels.

 

Take away points:  

1. Stagnant water in an unoccupied building is unsafe for consumption.
2. Bring your own bottled water on Mondays or following holidays.
3. Even in your own home or vacation home, run the water to bring in a fresh supply that will dilute and flush any contaminants.

 

https://journals.plos.org/water/article?id=10.1371/journal.pwat.0000006

 

#water #stagnation #bottledwater #legionnella