Water

Efficiently managing our most significant resource

Explore how standards help ensure the quality and sustainability of water

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Be water aware: Two water safety standards you should know about

When we turn on the tap in the office kitchen to get a refreshing glass of water or to clean our hands in the office bathrooms, most of us take it for granted that these are all safe actions. The reality is that behind the scenes, people are working tirelessly to ensure that the quality of water (the world’s most valuable resource), is as high as possible. Water quality monitoring is a critical practice carried out in businesses across the globe. Every organization has a duty of care, as well as legal obligations, to provide an adequate supply of wholesome drinking water for all persons at work in a workplace, and to protect people from waterborne pathogens like Legionnaires’ disease and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To help businesses achieve efficient and effective water safety management, we’ve just published two water safety standards: one new and one revised. BS 7592:2022 is the revised British Standard on sampling for Legionella bacteria in water systems. This water safety standard covers how and where to sample, for routine monitoring, as well as outbreak investigations. All users of the previous version of this standard should now adhere to this new British Standard code of practice, providing guidance and recommendations for best practice. The all-new BS 8580-2:2022 plugs a gap for information on Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) and covers how to conduct risk assessments for PA and other waterborne pathogens, taking account of relevant environmental and clinical factors and aspects of human behaviour that can lead to contamination. Improve your water safety with standards Extensive experience shows that poor design and management of water systems in buildings can cause outbreaks of disease. The types of building, water uses, disease outcomes, and individuals affected are diverse. The health risks are preventable and can be readily controlled. However, evidence from outbreak detection suggests that the overall trend is increasing. Businesses need to ensure the safety of their workforce by ensuring that water systems in their buildings are being actively monitored and assessed. Legionella bacteria growing in a water system can be fatal so should be taken seriously. As the number of reported incidences of Legionnaires’ disease continues to rise, BS 7592 gives recommendations and advice on how to sample and test water for the presence of Legionella. This standard now has been revised to make a clearer distinction between routine and incident sampling and provide a clearer rationale for routine sampling, including newly recognized sources, risk assessment, surveying, and sample points. This is to help your business work more effectively to water safety best practices. Pseudomonas aeruginosa lives in water and soil and can cause infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia), or other parts of the body. BS 8580-2 gives recommendations and guidance on how to carry out risk assessments for pseudomonas aeruginosa and other waterborne pathogens whose natural habitat is within constructed water systems and the aqueous environment (autochthonous). It also covers risk assessments of distributed water systems and associated equipment, system components, and fittings as well as above-ground drainage systems. BS 8580-2 applies to all types of healthcare provision, including hospitals, and care, nursing and residential homes, together with other settings where water systems and associated equipment can pose a risk. This can include the education, travel, industrial, leisure, and beauty sectors, including health spas, nail bars, and tattoo parlors. To learn about developing an efficient water safety plan, read our article Water Safety Plans: Ensuring water quality in buildings What are the benefits of these water safety standards to you? BS 7592 and BS 8580-2 can help you to manage water more safely, efficiently, and effectively, as well as: Strengthen your organizational risk management and legal compliance Develop your water risk management expertise Stay up to date with the latest knowledge and understanding of how waterborne pathogens colonize and grow in water systems Both standards contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and well-being and Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation. Ensure your organization is water aware and adhering to water safety best practices by buying BS 7592 and BS 8580-2 today. Discover our Water Quality Solution Pack Our Water Quality Solution Pack is aimed at organizations across all sectors who want to manage the quality and safety of their water but are unsure where to start. It guides enterprises through the adoption process of water quality best practices to ensure their organization is prepared to effectively manage and perform its duty of care when it comes to water quality. By providing both the essential water quality standards and supplementary material all in one place, it has never been easier to take that next step to ensure the quality of your water systems. Learn more about how the contents of our Water Quality Solution Pack can assist your business activities here. Get all the water quality standards you need, in one place The far-reaching effects of water contamination mean that it is vital that your business is managing water safety risks effectively. Our tailored BSI Knowledge subscription service puts the control in your hands, with traceability to monitor and demonstrate your business's access to standards. Build your own custom collection of standards, or opt for access to one of our pre-built modules and keep up-to-date with any relevant changes to your standards strategy. Request to learn more.