BCWD COVID-19 ADVISORY (May 4, 2020)
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| ..BCWD urges owners of closed buildings due to COVID-19 to conduct flushing of water pipes and sanitizing the entire structures.. |
BCWD urges owners of closed buildings due to COVID-19 to conduct flushing of water pipes and sanitizing the entire structures
Butuan City Water District (BCWD) has urged owners of buildings or structures closed for more than three weeks due to COVID-19 pandemic to conduct proper flushing of water pipes and sanitizing the entire structures before re-opening. This is to prevent outbreaks of severe, sometimes lethal, form of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease.
The sudden and sweeping closure of schools, factories, businesses and government offices resulted to unprecedented decline of water use. The lack of chlorinated water flowing through water pipes, combined with irregular temperature changes, has made these structures the breeding grounds for the Legionella bacteria.
Although it is possible to get Legionnaires' disease from home plumbing, most outbreaks have occurred in large buildings, perhaps because complex systems allow the bacteria to grow and spread more easily.
Most people catch Legionnaires' disease by inhaling the bacteria from water or soil. Older adults, smokers and people with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to Legionnaires' disease.
Although Legionnaires' disease primarily affects the lungs, it occasionally can cause infections in wounds and in other parts of the body, including the heart.
Outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease are preventable, but prevention requires water management systems in buildings that ensure that water is monitored and cleaned regularly.
Meanwhile, concessionaires are reminded that BCWD is only implementing online billing inquiry. For concessionaires to be updated in their current billing, please access the online billing services of BCWD at its official website www.bcwd.gov.ph/obi/.
For more information, customers are advised to call the BCWD Call Center at 09189304234 / 09171888726 / (085) 3423145 / 46; 3416373 / 74 or leave / send a personal message (PM) at the official Facebook page of the Butuan City Water District.
Last Update: May 06, 2020