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Aquarion Reminds Shut Businesses to Flush Building Water Systems Prior to Reopening

May 18, 2020 by Mark Tedeschi Massachusetts

MILLBURY, MA. – May 18, 2020 – Aquarion Water Company reminds business owners who have closed their buildings during the pandemic to flush building water systems prior to returning to normal use of their tap water. After an extended period of non-use, potable water can become stagnant. By flushing internal/external systems, fresh water is drawn into the building from the company’s water mains. Fresh water is constantly flowing throughout Aquarion’s water distribution system.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has developed specific procedures for flushing building water systems. MassDEP’s introductory guidance is as follows:

MassDEP Building Flushing Information

This information may be useful for Public Water Systems and large and small facilities or homes on a public water system after buildings have been shut down or used less frequently

General comments:

As buildings have been shut down or used less frequently, water quality in the buildings may become degraded due to stagnation. It is always a good practice to flush all water supply lines in a facility after a prolonged closure to ensure that fresh water is in the system. This guidance provides a general roadmap for how to flush stale stagnant water from homes and other buildings and get the plumbing system water quality back to pre-stagnation conditions and ensure that your water system is safe to use after a prolonged shutdown. Please note: During the COVID-19 pandemic State of Emergency, social distancing protocols must be followed by facility staff while performing steps to return service to homes and other buildings as well as while engaging with residents.

The complete MassDEP guidance document is available at www.aquarionwater.com/customer-care/covid-19 or www.mass.gov/doc/massdep-building-flushing-information/download. Additional guidance is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/building-water-system.html.

Business customers with additional flushing questions can contact Aquarion Customer Service at 1-800-732-9678.

About Aquarion Water Company

Aquarion Water Company is the public water supply company for more than 750,000 people in 72 cities and towns in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  It is the largest investor-owned water utility in New England and among the seven largest in the U.S.  Based in Bridgeport, CT, Aquarion has been in the public water supply business since 1857.  Across its operations, Aquarion strives to act as a responsible steward of the environment and to assist the communities it serves in promoting sustainable practices.  Aquarion Water Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eversource.