Why Water Quality Is So Important in Retirement Homes and Assisted Living Centers

February 19, 2021 2:40 am Leave your thoughts

It goes without saying that adequate purification systems are what keep us healthy. Everyone needs clean water, which makes it hard to believe that some retirement homes and assisted living centers in Cincinnati, OH don’t prioritize regular water quality checks. The following health concerns arise in facilities that don’t maintain their commercial water purification systems.

Lead poisoning and contamination

Assisted living communities with private water sources have to pay special attention to their purification systems. Unlike municipal supplies, private water wells aren’t subjected to the city regulations in Cincinnati, OH. It falls on the facility provider to maintain their commercial water purification systems. Retirement homes must provide adequate water quality because the residents depend on staff to properly manage the facilities.

Outdated systems that are poorly maintained often utilize lead piping that would never be installed today. Plumbing systems constructed with lead pipes may cause sickness in older adults when they’re exposed to unusually high levels of lead over a long period of time. Unregulated water wells also run the risk of harboring dangerous contaminants that lead to chronic health effects.

Legionnaires’ disease

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia that stems from harmful bacteria in water sources. Research has shown that residents of assisted living communities are disproportionately at risk for developing Legionnaires’ disease. In fact, one study conducted in 2015 revealed that 19 percent of participants contracted Legionnaires’ disease from a nursing home.

The people who reside at such facilities don’t have control over their water quality. Homeowners are better able to avoid bacteria-related illnesses because they own their property and can take matters into their own hands. Nursing home residents aren’t afforded that luxury. Health care centers that don’t maintain commercial water purification systems negatively impact dozens of lives. For this reason, it’s imperative that facility providers schedule routine checks with local water treatment experts in Cincinnati, OH.

Weaker immune systems

No matter where you live, anyone could potentially suffer negative health effects if their water purification system is poorly maintained. However, the residents of assisted living communities are particularly susceptible to Legionnaires’ and other diseases caused by harmful bacteria. As we get older, our immune systems aren’t what they used to be. The only thing worse than regular exposure to contaminants is not having the ability to fight off diseases that develop as a result.

These reasons and more are why health care centers must prioritize the health of their residents. Annual maintenance from a team of specialists will ensure older adults are receiving the water quality they need to maintain a high standard of living. Nursing home residents not only depend on facility providers for adequate water quality, but are more at risk than other age groups for sustaining long-term effects from exposure to contaminants.

The road to improved water quality starts with taking action. If you don’t remember the last time your facility conducted maintenance on the water purification system, schedule an inspection with the water treatment experts at Ultra Pure Water Technologies. Our team can install, inspect and repair water purification systems in every type of health care facility.

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