If you manage or maintain a building, you already know how vital it is to keep your water systems safe. “Risk assessment” often appears in industry guidelines and regulatory documents, but the practical meaning can seem difficult to grasp.

FACS experts explained the risk assessment procedure clearly to help you understand exactly what’s involved, why risk assessments are critical, and how to implement effective risk management strategies. This is an overview of that webinar.

Why Water System Risk Assessments Matter

Waterborne pathogens, especially Legionella bacteria, have been responsible for increasing numbers of illness outbreaks in recent years. Exposure to the bacteria can lead to Legionnaires’ disease—a severe pneumonia that can be fatal, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly or immunocompromised.

Beyond human health, these illnesses carry significant financial costs. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated over 7 million annual water-related infections in the U.S., generating healthcare expenses exceeding $3 billion annually. High-profile cases like the Flint, Michigan water crisis remind us that contamination events can also create lasting reputational damage and prolonged legal battles.

Identifying the Key Hazards

To conduct an accurate water system risk assessment, you must first recognize the hazards present:

Microbial Hazards and Characteristics:

• Legionella, Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM), and Pseudomonas are primary threats.
• These organisms often thrive in biofilms, making them resistant to typical disinfectant methods.
• Exposure usually occurs through inhalation of aerosolized droplets or direct contact.

Chemical Hazards:

• Disinfectants reacting with organic materials can produce harmful byproducts, such as disinfection byproducts (DBPs).
• Corrosion byproducts from piping systems can also contaminate water, causing short-term and long-term health risks including skin irritation or even increased cancer risks.

Physical Hazards:

• Hot water temperature management is a challenge to balance. Higher temperatures could lead to more risk of scalding, especially for children and older adults. However, reducing hot water temperatures could lead to ideal growth ranges for Legionella.

Standards, Regulations, and Guidance

Knowing where your responsibilities lie is essential. Regulatory bodies like the EPA establish mandatory compliance through acts such as the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act. In healthcare facilities, regulations from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Veterans Health Administration require stringent water management protocols.

Voluntary industry standards, such as ASHRAE Standard 188 and ASHRAE Standard 514 offer best-practice frameworks that may eventually become regulatory benchmarks. Additional resources, like CDC guidelines and AIHA risk assessment documents, provide practical instructions to help you achieve compliance and best practices.

Conducting Your Water System Risk Assessment

Risk assessment usually follows two methods:

• Qualitative Assessment: A visual and documentation review of your water systems to understand vulnerabilities without immediate lab testing.
• Quantitative Assessment: Collecting water samples for laboratory analysis to pinpoint specific contamination risks.

The best practice is to start qualitatively to prioritize your risks, then confirm your findings through targeted quantitative sampling.

Practical Steps for Your Assessment

Step 1: Desk Review

• Review historical data, plumbing diagrams, construction history, and past water quality reports.
• Identify potential problem areas like dead legs, stagnant water points, or systems prone to corrosion.

Step 2: Site Walkthrough

• Confirm accuracy of plumbing diagrams.
• Visually inspect equipment, fixtures, and system operation.
• Document water temperatures, flow rates, disinfectant levels, and overall maintenance conditions.

Step 3: Risk Documentation and Prioritization

• Clearly categorize identified risks as low, medium, or high.
• Prioritize corrective actions based on potential severity and likelihood of exposure.

Implementing and Validating Controls

Once you identify risks, establish clear control measures. Typical interventions include:

• Monitoring and maintaining appropriate water temperatures and disinfectant levels.
• Implementing regular flushing programs to prevent stagnation.
• Cleaning and disinfection protocols to reduce biofilm.
• Scheduled preventive maintenance to ensure systems operate as designed.

After applying controls, validate their effectiveness through water sampling to demonstrate reduced contamination risk.

Helpful Tools and Resources

Various risk assessment tools can streamline this process. Examples include the CDC’s Water Infection Control Risk Assessment and checklists from the Legionella Control Association. These tools help systematically document risks and responses, ensuring clarity and accountability.

Emerging Water System Concerns: Microplastics

An emerging chemical hazard worth noting is microplastics. While research and guidance are still evolving, microplastics are increasingly recognized as persistent contaminants resulting from the breakdown of plastic components in water systems. Awareness and monitoring are recommended as part of a comprehensive assessment strategy.

Frequency of Assessment

Industry guidance typically suggests annual assessments or updates following significant changes to the water system, such as new equipment installation, construction, or major plumbing alterations. Frequent reviews ensure that new risks are quickly identified and mitigated.

Your Documentation Is Crucial

Your risk assessment results and control strategies must be thoroughly documented within your comprehensive water management plan. Clear documentation not only supports regulatory compliance but also provides rationale for risk categorization and the measures taken.

A systematic approach to building water system risk assessment helps safeguard public health, control financial risks, and ensure regulatory compliance. By understanding the hazards, applying the right standards and guidance, and following clear assessment procedures, you can confidently manage your building’s water quality. Your proactive efforts protect occupants’ health and contribute to your organization’s long-term safety and success.

To get expert help with your water system risk assessment, call FACS at (888) 711-9998 or contact us online here: https://facs.com/contact-us/