Potable Water Disinfection for New Construction
New domestic water distribution systems must be properly disinfected before they can be placed into service. RW Water Services provides thorough, code-compliant chlorination and flushing programs that protect occupants and satisfy all applicable requirements.
Protecting Occupants Starts Before the First Drop of Water Is Used
Every new domestic water distribution system — whether in a commercial office tower, hospital, hotel, or multifamily building — must be disinfected prior to occupancy. During construction, piping systems accumulate biofilm, sediment, construction debris, and microbial contamination that cannot be removed by flushing alone. Proper chlorination and disinfection is the final step that makes a new system safe for human use.
RW Water Services performs potable water disinfection in accordance with AWWA C651 and applicable code requirements. Our programs are designed to achieve and maintain the required chlorine residuals throughout the distribution system — including dead legs, branch lines, and fixture connections — ensuring complete disinfection coverage before the system is cleared for occupancy.
For healthcare facilities, the stakes are even higher. New domestic water systems in hospitals, outpatient facilities, and long-term care settings must be disinfected with Legionella risk in mind from day one. Our ASSE-certified Legionella Water Safety and Management Professionals bring a compliance-first perspective to every healthcare new construction project, ensuring that disinfection programs align with the facility's Water Management Plan and ASHRAE 188 requirements.
We coordinate directly with mechanical contractors and commissioning agents to ensure that disinfection is completed on schedule and that all required sampling, testing, and documentation is in order before the system is cleared for occupancy.
What Our Disinfection Programs Include
AWWA C651-Compliant Chlorination
Disinfection programs designed and executed in accordance with AWWA C651 standards for disinfection of water mains and distribution systems, ensuring regulatory compliance and defensible documentation.
Full System Coverage
Chlorination procedures that address the entire distribution system — mains, branch lines, risers, dead legs, and fixture connections — to ensure no section of the system is left untreated.
Residual Monitoring & Verification
Continuous monitoring of chlorine residuals throughout the disinfection hold period, with verification sampling at representative points across the system to confirm adequate treatment.
Post-Disinfection Flushing
Controlled flushing procedures following the disinfection hold period to remove residual chlorine and disinfection byproducts, bringing the system to acceptable levels for occupancy.
Bacteriological Sampling & Testing
Collection and coordination of bacteriological water samples per applicable code requirements, with chain-of-custody documentation and certified laboratory analysis.
Healthcare & Legionella Compliance
For healthcare facilities, disinfection programs are aligned with ASHRAE 188 and the facility Water Management Plan, with documentation formatted to support regulatory inspections and accreditation surveys.
Related New Construction Services
New Construction System Startup
Comprehensive water treatment startup and commissioning services for all mechanical water systems — cooling towers, closed loops, boilers, and domestic water — coordinated with the project schedule.
Pre-Commissioning System Flushing
High-velocity flushing of new piping systems to remove construction debris, mill scale, and contamination before chemical treatment and equipment startup.
Cooling Tower Passivation
Controlled passivation programs for new cooling tower systems to establish a protective oxide layer and prevent early corrosion during the critical startup period.
Legionella Water Management Plans
ASHRAE 188-compliant Water Management Plans for healthcare and institutional facilities, developed by ASSE-certified Legionella Water Safety and Management Professionals.
Water Treatment Consulting
Expert consulting on water treatment specifications, system design, and treatment program development for new construction projects from design through handover.
Ongoing Water Treatment Programs
Customized water management programs that carry forward from new construction startup into long-term facility operation — maintaining water quality and protecting equipment throughout the building lifecycle.
Scheduling a New Construction Disinfection?
Engage RW Water Services early in your project timeline. We coordinate with your mechanical contractor to ensure disinfection is completed on schedule and the system is cleared for occupancy without delays.