Buildings faced long term shutdowns due to COVID-19. Most buildings weren't designed to be unused for months at a time, bringing the water quality inside into question. It's possible that stagnant water in the pipes can contain excessive amounts of metals and pathogens. This can also be a problem in buildings that have shut down for years and are now being reopened to accommodate the influx of patients. Normally water doesn't become stagnant because of daily use, the new water brings in disinfectant with it.
Caitlin Proctor, a Purdue Postdoctoral Fellow who studies water quality explains how COVID-19 has changed water usage, "With normal building use throughout a district, even small amounts of water use would help draw disinfectant residual into a building. In the COVID-19 era, many low-use buildings in one area could affect the disinfectant residual in the water mains. As we come back to work after social distancing, even complete building flushing might not be successful in drawing in fresh water."
As we come back to work after social distancing, even complete building flushing might not be successful in drawing in fresh water.
A deadly bacteria, Legionella, known to cause pneumonia can multiply and infect stagnant water, carrying the pathogen through the system until the water is used next. Monitoring water quality is important so people don't get sick and the system remains running smoothly.
Full article can be found at Purdue University.