BUSINESSES in the district are being urged to ensure they are safe to re-open.
Warwick District Council is calling on owners to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of the customers as lockdown restrictions are eased.
In vacant or partially used properties, water can stagnate within hot and cold water systems, which could lead to Legionella bacteria growing to harmful levels. This could result in people contracting Legionnaires’ Disease, a type of pneumonia, once the water systems are put back in use. The risk of this happening increases in warmer weather and where equipment that produces water aerosols is used, such as showers, high pressure hoses and misters, for example.
As a general principle, outlets on hot and cold water systems should be used at least once a week to minimise the chances of stagnation. To manage the risks while a property is empty, consideration should be given to implementing a suitable flushing regime or other measures, such as draining the system if it is to remain vacant for long periods.
District health and community protection, spokeswoman Coun Judith Falp, said: “Warwick District Council is continuing to support businesses during these unprecedented times as well as protecting the public. We aim to help them to reduce any risks resulting from their business closures, which might impact on the public.
“Business owners have legal obligations to maintain the water systems in their premises to prevent the growth of Legionella bacteria and council officers are providing advice to help them do this.”
Visit www.warwickdc.gov.uk for further details.
