Hea09 - Water quality – Above Green

Minimum standard. (1 credit available)

Aim

To minimise the risk of water contamination in building services and ensure the provision of clean, fresh sources of water for building users.

Assessment criteria

The following is required to demonstrate compliance:

One credit

Building services water systems: Minimising risk of contamination

All water systems in the building are designed in compliance with the measures outlined in the relevant national health and safety best practice guides or regulations to minimise the risk of microbial contamination, e.g. legionellosis.

Where humidification is required, a failsafe humidification system is provided.

Building occupants: Provision of fresh drinking water (excluding residential and residential institutions - long term stay)

A wholesome supply of accessible potable drinking water is supplied as follows in the permanently staffed areas:

3.a

Point-of-use water coolers

3.b

Provision in each staff kitchenette, or in a suitable location on each floor level, and in a staff canteen (if provided).

Additional for residential institutions - short term stay

A wholesome supply of accessible potable drinking water is supplied in public areas:

4.a

Provision in the foyer or lobby and gym or fitness suite, where present

4.b

If potable water is available in each bedroom, a point-of-use water cooler is accessible from all key public spaces, i.e. bar, lounge, lobby, entrance hall or reception, restaurant

4.c

If potable water is not available in each bedroom, a point-of-use water cooler is accessible from all key public spaces, i.e. bar, lounge, lobby, entrance hall or reception, restaurant AND specified in public areas next to key access points (lifts and stairwells) to each bedroom floor or area.

Checklists and tables

None.

Compliance notes

Ref	Terms	Description
Shell and core (non-residential and residential institutions only)
CN1	Applicable assessment criteria	Building services water systems: Minimising risk of contamination, criteria 1 and 2 Shell only: These criteria are not applicable. Shell and core: All criteria relevant to the building type and function apply. Building occupants: Provision of fresh drinking water, criterion 3 Both options: These criteria are not applicable.
Residential - Partially fitted and fully fitted
CN2	Applicable assessment criteria - Single and multiple dwellings	Building services water systems: Minimising risk of contamination, criteria 1 and 2 Both options: All criteria relevant to the building type and function apply. Building occupants: Provision of fresh drinking water, criterion 3 Both options: These criteria are not applicable. Refer to Appendix E – Applicability of BREEAM New Construction to single and multiple dwellings, partially and fully fitted for a more detailed description of residential assessment options.
General
CN3	National health and safety best practice guides	Please refer to the Approved Standards and Weightings List (ASWL) to find the appropriate health and safety best practice guides in the country of assessment. Alternatively, please demonstrate applicability as follows: The minimum requirements as set out in the Approved standards and weightings list are covered by the proposed documents Where no appropriate reference document exists for a country, the design team should demonstrate compliance using the UK alternative as listed in each relevant country reference sheet.
CN3.1	Failsafe humidification system	A failsafe humidification system is one where failure of the system that sterilises the water vapour results in the entire humidification system initiating a shut down. This shut down, therefore, avoids any risk of building users being exposed to untreated and potentially contaminated water until the systems failure is corrected. Steam humidification is an example of a failsafe system.
CN3.2	New build extensions to existing buildings	If the new-build extension and existing building will share the same services or water systems, then the existing systems must be assessed against the criteria regardless of whether the existing building forms a part of the assessment or not. If the extension is served by independent systems, only these need be assessed against the assessment criteria. If it is the intention that building users of the new extension will use water systems in the existing building, then it must be confirmed that the existing systems comply with the criteria.
CN3.3	Microbial contamination and the BREEAM Assessor’s reporting responsibility	The BREEAM Assessor is not required to confirm that the design is compliant with the relevant standards; this is the responsibility of the design team. The assessor is simply required to record, for the purposes of validation, whether or not the design team confirms it has complied.
CN3.4	Non-compliant point-of-use water dispensers	The following types of water dispensers do not comply with the criteria of this BREEAM issue: Drinking water fountains, as they are difficult to keep in a hygienic condition, and do not encourage users to consume adequate fluid intake Mains fed taps in toilet areas (note: taps in kitchen areas are compliant) Bottled water from vending machines or over the counter.

Methodology

None.

Evidence

Req

Design stage

Post-construction stage

1–2

The relevant section or clauses of the building specification or contract.

A formal letter of declaration from the design team, principal contractor or installer of the relevant systems confirming compliance.

BREEAM Assessor’s site inspection report and photographic evidence or as-built drawings.

Design drawings.

BREEAM Assessor’s site inspection report and photographic evidence or as-built drawings.

Additional information

Relevant definitions

Legionnaires' disease

A type of pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophilia. People catch Legionnaires' disease by inhaling small droplets of water suspended in the air, which contain the bacteria.

Point-of-use water cooler

Water coolers that are plumbed directly into the mains water supply and drainage. The advantage of water coolers is twofold: their appearance is modern and appealing to users and most offer both chilled and ambient temperature water.

Potable water

Water suitable for human consumption that does not contain any micro-organism, parasite or substance at a concentration or value which would constitute a potential danger to human health.

Water systems

For the purpose of this issue, this refers to:

Cooling towers
Evaporative condensers
Domestic hot and cold water systems
Other plant and systems containing water which is likely to exceed 20°C and which may release a spray or aerosol during operation or when being maintained, for example:
1. Humidifiers and air washers
2. Spa baths and pools
3. Car or bus washes
4. Wet scrubbers
5. Indoor fountains and water features.

Other information

None.