1. Services for Residents
  2. Power, Water & Sewer
  3. Drinking Water
  4. Water Service for Businesses

Water Service for Businesses

When water is left stagnant in your building's pipes, the water quality can change. If you are re-opening after weeks of inactivity, please take the following steps to ensure your water is safe to consume:

Flush Internal Pipes

  • Run water through all outlets, such as faucets and showers, and flushing your toilets and urinals for 10 to 30 minutes.
  • Outlets at the greatest distance from the service connection should be flushed the longest.
  • Flush the cold-water lines first and then the hot water lines. 
  • Flushing process will vary depending on each plumbing system.
  • Personnel doing this work should be advised to open outlets slowly to avoid splashing and the creation of aerosols.
  • Flush all drinking water fountains, water coolers, bottle fillers and any other operable end point device. Remove and clean faucet aerators and replace drinking fountain filters.
  • For ice makers, dispose of old ice and flush the water supply to the ice maker.
  • Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
  • Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 45°C (normal setting is 60°C).
  • Remember all other water systems in a building, such as water reuse systems, decorative water features such as fountains, and landscape irrigation systems. Follow manufacturer recommendations for disinfecting all water systems after periods of non-use.

Check P-Traps (Drains)

  • A dried-out or empty P-trap can cause sewer gas odours. An easy fix is to fill the P-trap with water again.
  • Walk around your business with a pitcher of water and pour water down every drain you can find. Items that have had regular use (sink, toilets) probably have water in the P-trap already.
  • Flush any unused toilets.
  • Pour water down floor drains.

Personnel working to rehabilitate stagnant water systems will be at some risk and should be advised to take precautions. If plumbing issues continue, contact a licensed plumber for assistance. 

Learn more about the response to COVID-19 in Saskatoon. 

Thank you to the City of Regina for permission to use some of their content.