ASPE Issues COVID-19 Guidance Document

 

As the premier organization dedicated to plumbing engineering and design, the American Society of Plumbing Engineers’ primary focus is to enhance public safety in premise plumbing systems. With that in mind, ASPE and its more than 6,000 members stand ready to assist building owners and managers to be better prepared in the aftermath of COVID-19.

With shelter-in-place orders in many areas, facilities have been left unused or underutilized, resulting in stagnant water in plumbing systems. This condition promotes the growth of hazardous waterborne pathogens such as Legionella.

As many of us are aware, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has been the leading authority in providing guidance at the federal, state, and local levels in minimizing the spread of COVID-19. However, the CDC has also written guidelines for building water systems to ensure that they are safe after prolonged shutdown or minimal use.

The CDC Guideline for Building Water Systems includes steps that building owners and managers can take to mitigate the hazards of waterborne pathogens. With growing concerns regarding COVID-19 and drinking water, the CDC and the Environmental Protection Agency have published documents explaining the risks involved.

ASPE understands that we all have a role to play in combating COVID-19. We have provided guidance to our chapters, members, and staff on our website and have been collaborating with other leading organizations such as NSF International, ASHRAE, and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) to find solutions. In the meantime, we strongly urge building owners, managers, and water management teams to carefully review the latest guidance documents on ASPE’s website (aspe.org/coronavirus-covid-19-preparedness-resources) and implement those that are most appropriate to maintain a safe environment for building occupants.