subject: Early Water Monitoring: A Step in the Right Direction [print this page] Water Monitoring Water Monitoring
Many businesses do not realize the importance of water monitoring until it is too late. Quite a few firms ignore their water systems and the issue of water quality until they face a fine or worse consequences.
Water systems of any size including wells and other onsite systems used by hotels and other businesses can become contaminated. Pathogens that can get into these systems include the bacteria that can cause the potentially deadly Legionnaire's disease. Obviously no business wants to put its customers at risk of getting a deadly disease but many do.
Proper monitoring of a water system should enable a business to spot contamination and take action against it. Most contaminants can be eliminated through the use of proper chemical treatments and other measures. If the contamination is detected in time and the proper action is taken.
Consequences of Improper Water Monitoring
The consequences of not monitoring water properly can be quite severe for a business. The business could face law suits and other legal actions from customers exposed to the contamination. Such legal actions can lead to increased insurance costs or the loss of the business's insurance policy.
The business would see its reputation destroyed and loose the trust of its customers. No would want to stay at a hotel or eat at a restaurant with contaminated water. If reports of such contamination were to reach the media they could quickly drive away all of a business's customers.
A business that does not perform proper water monitoring can also face fines and prosecution from the government. An environmental health officer can shut a business down and initiate fines and prosecution against it if improperly monitored water or evidence of contamination is found.
A business could face thousands of pounds worth fines in addition to high legal costs that result from such an action. To add insult to injury, such prosecutions are often written up in the press which can lead to a loss of business.
Monitor Water Properly
The way for a business to avoid such consequences is obvious: monitor its water properly. Proper monitoring of water will consist of testing and regular water risk assessments.
Current law requires that most water systems be tested for contamination every two years. Water systems will also have to be tested anytime any sort of significant work is done to them. If records of this testing and working are not present in a business establishment when the Environmental Health Officer pays a visit the business can face fines.
Having proper Water Monitoring and testing done can prevent contamination. Such monitoring will also help a business spot other potential problems with its water system such as out of date tanks and other components. This will enable the business to correct such problems before they become an issue.
If contamination is found, a business can take action against it. Most of the pathogens that contaminate water systems can be eliminated through the use of modern chemicals. A simple application of such chemicals can eliminate any threat to health and business.
Early Water Monitoring: A Step in the Right Direction
