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BEAM PLUS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS WATER USE (WU)
V ERSION 1.2 WU P1 WATER QUALITY SURVEY
Copyright © 2012 BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved.
Page 90
5 WATER USE 5.P PREREQUISITE
WU P1 WATER QUALITY S URVEY
EXCLUSIONS None.
OBJECTIVE Ensure that the quality of potable water delivered to building users is
satisfactory.
REQUIREMENT Demonstrate that the quality of potable water meets the referenced
drinking water quality standards at all points of use.
ASSESSMENT The Client shall provide details of the analysis of samples taken from a
selection of potable water outlets used to supply human consumption.
Sampling should be systematic, such as described in ISO 5667 [1], but
as a minimum, samples shall be taken at all the farthest point(s) of use
in the distribution system from the storage tank, and shall include
sampling for each water supply tank used in the building. The frequency
of sampling at any outlet shall be determined by the Client, as dictated
by expectations from building users, or any management concerns about
water quality following maintenance, outages, leaks, etc.
The requirement shall be fulfilled if water quality at all sample points
meets the Water Supplies Department (WSD) Guidelines, and additional
measures are taken which reassure building users of the quality of the
water supplied to all parts of the building. Such measures include a
suitable frequency of sampling, publicising the details and results of
sampling to building users, and surveying opinions of users as to
satisfaction with the fresh water supply.
BACKGROUND The treated fresh water provided by the Water Supplies Department
complies fully with the drinking water standard according to the
guidelines of the World Health Organization. However, in order to ensure
that consumers can enjoy good quality of water at the taps, building
owners have to maintain their plumbing systems properly. To encourage
building owners to maintain their plumbing systems properly and with the
endorsement of the Advisory Committee on the Quality of Water
Supplies (ACQWS), the Water Supplies Department launched the Fresh
Water Plumbing Quality Maintenance Recognition Scheme [2] in 2002.
Since 1 January 2008, the Scheme has been renamed the Quality Water
Recognition Scheme for Buildings. Participation in this Scheme is
voluntary. The target groups to join this Scheme are the owners,
operators and management agents of buildings in general.
Successful applicants will be awarded a Certificate to recognise proper
maintenance of the plumbing systems inside a building for keeping the
good quality of government-supplied water throughout the inside service
up to the consumers’ taps. There are three grades of Certificates: Blue,
Silver and Gold. The Certificate is valid for one or two years subject to
the satisfactory maintenance of the plumbing system and the number of
years of participation in the scheme. The Certificate may be displayed in
the building, and on stationeries and promotional materials, subject to
the guidelines issued by the Water Supplies Department. The Scheme
aims to:
 enable local residents and overseas visitors to have greater
confidence in the water quality at the tap;
 strengthen the capability of building management agents to achieve
1 ISO 5667-5: 1991. Water quality - Part 6: Sampling - Section 6.5 Guidance on sampling of drinking water and water used
for food and beverage processing.
2 Water Supplies Department. Fresh Water Plumbing Maintenance Guide.