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The Division of Drinking and Ground Water of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency issued a March 2020 document titled:

Guidance for Premise Plumbing Water Service Restoration (“Guidance”)

The rationale for the Guidance is the concern that vacant buildings and homes generate stagnant water within the premise plumbing leading to water quality deterioration.

By way of introduction, the document is stated to offer:

. . . considerations for water service restoration to minimize risks associated with water quality degradation related to stagnant water.

The potential contaminants in stagnant waters in premise plumbing are stated to include:

• High surface area to volume ratio
• High water age
• Multiple types of plumbing materials
• Multiple points for cross connections
• Temperature gradients

The Guidance addresses:

• Water Quality Issues in Closed or Vacant Buildings
• Addressing Contaminants to Protect Public Health
• Premise Plumbing is a Nexus of Regulations
• Recommendations for Returning Buildings and Homes to Service
  • Disinfection
  • Testing
  • Flushing
• Additional Resources

A copy of the Guidance can be downloaded here.