The study goal was to organize and lead a Building Water Systems Research Collaborative with multiple institutions focused on generating and sharing new knowledge within the research community and with the public. The study objectives were to (1) setup and host three formal collaborative workshops, with the last workshop hosted at Purdue University in-person in Summer 2021 (if current guidelines permit such a gathering, otherwise this would be an interactive online event), (2) determine the practices applied across select institutions nationwide that address building water system safety, and (3) conduct a meta-analysis of studies at the end of the one year effort and identify new prioritized research and innovation needs influenced by the multiple independent studies and collaborative workshops.

Three events were held to include (a) a 2020 international scientific symposium with representatives from around the world to share emerging discoveries during the pandemic, (b) a 2020 science journalism and communication event with three world experts, and (c) a 2021 Building Water – SLAM (Stagnation, Legionella, and Metals) scientific symposium to share knowledge for experts worldwide.

From these activities, the investigators worked with new collaborators and fundamental discoveries were generated and documented in peer-reviewed studies. Results were further shared through presentations at industry, academic, and government meetings. Guidance and discoveries from this study influenced building messaging and building shutdown and startup decisions by industry and government agencies as buildings transitioned to low to no occupancy as well as when they were reopened. Official policies and webpages authored by U.S. agencies were upgraded with these discoveries. The first ever guidance manuals were created and issued by the plumbing sector and public drinking water sector partly informed by discoveries generated during this study.

Various undergraduate and graduate students (Masters degree and PhD degree candidates) were trained through this grant. Additional students from multiple other institutions also participated in the events hosted by this grant. Many of the students supported by this grant also shared their discoveries in professional meetings across the U.S. thereby gaining additional opportunities to engage with industry and government officials. The public was provided access to recorded events, peer-reviewed manuscripts that were made Open Access, and through the website PlumbingSafety.org. A series of peer-reviewed publications were completed that expand the fundamental understanding of building water safety.

In conclusion, results of this study significantly advanced the progress of science improving the fundamental understanding of water quality changes due to stagnation and plumbing technology. By collaborating with experts inside and outside the U.S., efforts here contributed to improving the national as well as global understanding of water quality in plumbing. While a formal and permanently funded network of collaborators in the U.S. was not achieved, the new synergy, new collaborations and discoveries served the national interest. This study was responsive to the national public health and welfare challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last Modified: 12/30/2024
Modified by: Andrew J Whelton