Madison Water Utility and Public Health Madison & Dane County are warning people about the danger of stagnant water in buildings that are not at full capacity during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Water in plumbing that has been sitting stagnant could be a breeding ground for bacteria and potential pathogens like Legionella.

Office buildings and hotels across the city have been at reduced capacity as people stay home to limit the spread of the virus. It is important that building maintenance professionals continue to pay attention to plumbing and make sure the water in their buildings is safe.

Public Health has put together a guide pdf to help businesses and other buildings re-open safely. Stagnant water will have to be flushed from both the hot and cold water systems in a building to get fresh, chlorinated water in. View a quick animated tutorial from our friends at Louisville Water below.