Across America, cities and states maintain requirements for how public water should be handled in order to keep both people and the environment safe from harm. With its abundance of people, New York City is no exception, and if you are managing a commercial building in New York, you will need to ensure that you too are compliant with the NYC water treatment regulations.
Failure to comply could result in a fine or other punishment, depending upon whether you have been cited before. The good news is that complying with the regulations not only keeps you out of trouble, but it also offers long-term benefits to your building and potentially even cost savings.
A Summary of NYC Water Treatment Regulations
NYC water treatment regulations take a variety of forms. Perhaps the most common and most well known is its stance on Legionella, which requires that all cooling towers be registered soon after installation and that they be sampled regularly—typically every 30 days.
This works alongside consistent inspections by professionals and culture sampling results to trace any outbreaks of Legionella quickly so that they can be handled before large numbers of people become seriously ill.
In addition to Legionella prevention, New York facilities are expected to keep their water at appropriate temperatures in order to prevent or slow the growth of some bacteria; many types of buildings are required to provide water that is at least 120 degrees. Additionally, water should be tested consistently to tackle any outstanding bacterial or other issues before they can spread.
Undergo Regular Sampling for Hazardous Bacteria
Part of maintaining a safe and robust water system management program is regular water sampling. Ideally, this service should be provided by an expert, since it is more nuanced than simply sticking a testing strip into the water.
Water should be sampled from various points in the system depending upon its unique construction and the building type to uncover issues such as Legionella, E. coli and others. Sampling can also indicate the need for remediation of issues such as biofilm and algae, which can develop into slimy films that not only compromise the proper function of your machinery but also provide safe havens for Legionella and other bacteria to avoid the water treatment plans that you use.
Maintain a Comprehensive Water Treatment Plan with Documentation
New York requires thorough documentation of how you treat your water and any instances of issues in the past. As you create a water treatment plan, be sure to incorporate processes such as compiling documentation and storing it, as well as submitting reports to the city if necessary. Failure to keep these documents, including in-person at your location, could result in a fine later if your building is found to be deficient.
One of the first things that inspectors will check is whether you have been keeping documentation of your water treatment and whether you have constructed a consistent water treatment plan that your building is following. This not only makes the process easier for you but also helps to establish any potential causes of outbreaks or other issues through weaknesses in your water treatment plan.
Establish a Relationship with Professional Treatment Experts
When something goes wrong with water treatment, it tends to go wrong suddenly and unexpectedly. You may believe that everything is fine one day, and then the next day, people are suddenly reporting Legionella. This is why it is critical that you establish a relationship of trust with water treatment and Legionella prevention experts ahead of time, before any critical issues arise.
This will dramatically improve your response time and help to keep a small issue small. Additionally, water treatment professionals in New York are extremely familiar with the local and state requirements and will work with you to create a schedule to stay compliant and avoid fines. Leaving your water treatment in their hands is one of the best ways to make sure that every necessary step is completed.
Reach Out to the Pros with Any Questions
Whether you have questions about New York’s compliance requirements for your water or you are trying to establish a water treatment plan for the first time and do not know where to start, the best time to create a relationship with water treatment professionals is now.
The experts at Tower Water set the standard in water treatment and would be happy to help you understand your options and create a water treatment plan that is customized to your building’s unique needs. Reach out to schedule a consultation to discuss the best strategy for you.