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Blog

Germ contamination in a sports hall

Drinking water is not sterile. It contains natural microorganisms and germs and can spoil. One particular problem is stagnant water, which offers pathogens such as mycobacteria and legionella optimal living conditions. If buildings, such as schools during the summer vacations, are empty for long periods of time, pathogens can multiply uncontrollably in the unused drinking water installations. For children, pregnant women, sick people and people with weakened immune systems in particular, this poses a health risk that should not be ignored.

Date: 19.07.2022 | Reading time: 4. Min.

The regulations (in Germany)

The effects of a prolonged interruption in use on the water quality in a building can be considerable. Stagnant water in the pipes harbors the risk of microorganisms such as bacteria and legionella multiplying. During shorter interruptions, undesirable changes in the water composition can already occur.

DIN EN 806-5 and VDI/DVGW 6023 lay down clear guidelines for the exchange of water in order to prevent the accumulation of germs. If operations are interrupted for longer than four weeks, it is essential to shut off the pipes and flush them before restarting. These measures serve to remove stagnant water and allow fresh water to flow through the system.

However, if the interruption in use exceeds six months, the situation becomes more complex. In such cases, microbiological tests are necessary to identify potential contaminants and take targeted measures to restore hygienic safety. Additional steps such as disinfection or sanitation may be required to ensure that the drinking water meets the applicable health standards and is safe for users. It is therefore essential to strictly follow the recommended protocols and guidelines to ensure water quality even after prolonged interruptions in use.

In reality

Unfortunately, not everyone in charge takes these requirements seriously. Many underestimate the health risks posed by stagnant tap water. Others do not know that such measures are planned. As a result, drinking water installations in schools and other buildings are repeatedly contaminated with germs. This happened, for example, in a school hall in Dortmund, where a sampling carried out by the public health department revealed an excessively high bacterial load. In order to ensure safe school and sports operations, disinfection of the drinking water system was unavoidable.

Gyms and other functional buildings often have simple drinking water systems that make maintenance and disinfection easier. The installation in the school hall in Dortmund is a relatively new system with an 800-liter hot water tank. Overall, it is uncomplicated to operate as the pipes are largely straightforward. And so the disinfection measures were also quite simple. The BEULCO disinfection box was integrated into the water circuit at a suitable point. The drinking water mixes with the BEULCO Clean disinfectant in the box and then flows into the drinking water installation.