Recommendations for Water Supply Flushing for Reopening of Buildings Under Statewide COVID-19 Transition Plan

May 5, 2020

During the Stay at Home Order, many Ohio businesses, manufacturing facilities, churches and community buildings have been vacant or only partially occupied.  It is important to flush water that has been stagnant in cold- and hot-water distribution lines and fixtures. It is also critical that buildings drain, flush and disinfect devices that store water like drinking fountains, hot water heaters, dental and medical equipment, and manufacturing devices that spray or mist water.

The Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency have developed recommended procedures that are posted at epa.ohio.gov/Portals/28/documents/pws/guidance-for-premise-plumbing-water-service-restoration.pdf. A letter for building occupants, owners and tenants is also available at epa.ohio.gov/Portals/28/documents/pws/ODH-OhioEPA-Building-Owners-Occupants-Tenants.pdf