Q: Does NIH treat water after it is delivered from WSSC?
A: No.
Q: Is it appropriate for ICs to use appropriated funds to pay for water dispensers for personal use?
A: No, bottled water can only be procured with appropriated funds when the building water is not potable. In cases in which the building water is not potable, ORF should be providing water in this case, not the ICs.
Q: Is it acceptable for NIH employees to form a club to collect and use personal funds to pay for dispenser rental and water bottle delivery?
A: Yes.
Q: Will NIH or ORF know the difference between the employee-funded and ORF-funded dispensers and water bottles?
A: Yes. From contract documents and vendor participation, locations and dispensers can be differentiated.
Q: Is there an ORF or NIH policy governing the placement and number of water fountains?
A: The ORF policy follows all pertinent building codes and regulations.
Q: What is about to take place?
A: In February 2012, ORF will begin removing ORF-funded bottled water dispensers and water bottles from locations where water systems and fountains have been tested to demonstrate no health hazards from lead and found to be in working, sanitary condition or where the fountains have been repaired or replaced.
Q: Who serves as the contact for occupant complaints and water fountain testing requests?
A: If you have questions or concerns, please contact your ORF facility manager. A listing of facility managers for each building is located at: http://orf2.od.nih.gov/PropertyManagement/FacilityManagement.asp. If you are unable to determine your facility manager, please call the ORF Maintenance Operations 24-Hour Center at 301-4350-8000.
Q: Is there an Occupational Health and Safety Administration regulation on potable water?
A: Yes. The Code of Federal Regulations [29 CFR 1910.141 (b)(1)(i)] states, “Potable water shall be provided in all places of employment, for drinking, washing of the person, cooking, washing of foods, washing of cooking or eating utensils, washing of food preparation or processing premises, and personal service rooms.”
Q: Does the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allow trace concentrations of contaminants in the treated water supply?
A: Yes. The EPA has threshold limitations known as the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs ensure that drinking water does not pose either a short-term or long-term health risk. The EPA sets MCLs at level that are economically and technologically feasible. Some states set MCLs which more strict than that of the EPA. For the most recent report on WSSC water quality, including amounts of these substances, see: http://www.wsscwater.com/home/jsp/content/wat-qual-report.faces.
Q: In cases in which the building water supply is not safe, how many bottled water dispensers will be made available?
A: The ORF will ensure that bottled water dispensers are placed in accordance with the Potable Water Policy. Where multiple bottled water dispensers are located on the same floor, the number of dispensers will be limited to one (1) per 75 occupants.
Q: What will be the impact in Patient Care areas?
A: Bottled water dispensers will remain in patient care areas.
Q: What about water filters?
A: Several NIH Institutes/Centers have installed additional filters on their water faucets to improve the aesthetics of the water. Although this practice presents benefits, it is not recommended by the Office of Research Services, Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS) because if the filters are not changed frequently, they can collect bacteria.