Management of drinking water installations Idealis

Idealis strives for good safety at all levels within its complexes. Part of this is monitoring drinking water quality. We have been checking the drinking water in all complexes for the presence of legionella bacteria for years. In addition, various control measures are taken and maintenance guidelines have been established towards the maintenance party (Veolia) for the prevention of this bacterium.

Broadly speaking, it means that in its complexes Idealis must ensure that the tap water (drinking water and hot tap water) is of sound quality and that the installation and materials are designed in such a way that the quality of the tap water is not affected, or that precautions are taken to limit the risks. These duty-of-care provisions are included in the Drinking Water Act and the Drinking Water Decree. Because Idealis' locations fall under the low-risk category is Idealis as legal owner of the tap water installation not legally obliged to periodically check the water quality, have a risk analysis carried out and have a management plan drawn up. However, Idealis has a high regard for safety and believes that water quality should also be safeguarded with regard to legionella.

Prevention by Idealis
Despite the fact that there are no direct legal obligations for Idealis, the following preventive measures are taken within the framework of the duty of care, at the complexes with a collective installation:

• Temperature monitoring hot water system via building management system;
• Twice a year microbiological examination of water samples from different taps;
• Record microbiological examination results;
• Recording management measures in logbook.

Prevention by residents
As a resident yourself, you can make a useful contribution to legionella prevention. You do so for your own safety, of course, but also for that of your fellow residents.

Do you have a sink in your room or do you have an independent room?

• Are you moving into a room at Idealis for the first time or returning after a holiday or a longer period of time? Then flush the taps for several minutes first. First put the shower head in a tub or bucket of water to avoid inhaling the water bubbles.
• Make sure you use all taps or flush at least once a week for several minutes at a time.
• Make sure no limescale builds up on your shower head and clean it.

Departments

• Make sure all taps are used. Do you have the impression that some are not used often? If so, report this to your manager.
• Make sure there is no scale build-up on the shower head(s) and clean it.

General information
Can be found on the website www.rivm.nl.