Flush your water taps if you have been away for a while
Have you been away from your home or company offices for more than a week? Then please flush your water taps thoroughly before using the water. This will prevent the water quality from deteriorating. Turn on all your taps and let the water run for at least a minute. Do not forget your shower, bath and outdoor taps as well.
Tap water quality deteriorates
If water is left stagnant for a long time, the quality deteriorates. Legionella bacteria grow in stagnant water and may cause health problems. The RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) recommends that you continue to flush your water pipes regularly. It recommends doing this thoroughly at least once a week. Especially if the pipes are not used very often.
More information can be found on the website of the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate
This is how you flush your taps:
- First flush your toilet.
- Let all your taps run for at least 1 minute.
- Start with the tap closest to your water meter.
- Let the water flow gently and make sure the water does not splash.
- Do this with both your hot and cold water. If you have a mixer tap, turn the tap to the centre position.
- Do not forget to flush your shower. Put the shower head on top of the drain and make sure you do not inhale any spray.
Tip: catch the water in a bucket or a watering can. You can use this water for cleaning or watering your plants. This will help you prevent waste.
For more information and tips, please visit drinkwaterplatform.nl (You are leaving this website) (in Dutch).
Berry, the digital assistent