Maintenance of Drinking Water Supply System
Maintenance of drinking water
Equipment and supplies
-Wooden brush
-Bleaching powder
-Cleaning liquid
-Scrubber
Clean and safe drinking water
Water is a basic necessity for man. It is therefore important to provide safe and hygienic drinking water, as 80% of all diseases are spread through water. Normally, only boiled and filtered water is given to the patients. It is equally important to supply safe and clean drinking water to the visitors and staff of the hospital.
Cleaning the drinking water tank
It is very important to protect and cover the water tank properly to prevent dust, other impurities and living creatures from falling into it. Closing the water tank properly prevents breeding of mosquitoes, and formation of algae.
It is important to note that the articles and materials used for cleaning a water tank should be kept exclusively for this purpose and should not be used for any other purpose.
Method
-Empty the tank
-Sprinkle bleaching powder in the tank and scrub thoroughly with the wooden brush
-Leave the bleaching powder on the surface of the walls and bottom of the tank for 30 minutes
-Wash the tank thoroughly with clean water
-Leave the tank open to dry in the sun
-Close it tight after it is dry and fill it with water
-Clean the water tank in this manner at least once a month
-This method of thorough cleaning will prevent moss formation
-If the tank is kept free of dust and other particles, the pipes can be prevented from getting clogged
Cleaning of the water filter attached to a water cooler
A water filter is used to filter invisible germs and dust particles. A water cooler is used to provide cold water during summer. Hence, to provide cold and pure drinking water, the water cooler is connected to a water filter. Both these are electrical appliances, and should be handled with care. Both should be cleaned together once a month.
It is important to note that the materials used to clean the water filter and water cooler should not be used for any other purpose.
Cleaning of this equipment should be done with the help of a plumber. You can be present to help him and ensure that the job is done hygienically.
The process of cleaning the water system starts with checking the pipes that supply the water.
Method of cleaning drinking water pipes
Drinking water pipes should be clean and free of any blockages. Water pipes may get clogged due to moss, dust and salt formation in the pipes. If there is a block, it is absolutely necessary that the cause is found and the block is removed immediately.
Equipment and materials
-Water
-A wire or a stick
-Hydrochloric acid.
Cleaning a pipe which is blocked with collection of dust / waste / moss
Method
Pour a small quantity of water into the pipe and thrust a stick or iron rod and scrub. This may remove the block and clean the pipe.
Cleaning a pipe which is blocked on account of salt deposits
Method
Mix hydrochloric acid and water in the ratio 1:3. Pour this solution into the pipe till it is full and close it. Leave it in this condition for about 30 minutes. The acid solution will dissolve the salt in the pipe and clean it. If necessary, the process may be repeated. After the pipe is absolutely clear, it should be washed twice with clean water.
Cleaning the water filter
Equipment and supplies
-Cleaning liquid
-Scrubber
-Clean cloth
Sometimes, if the drinking water is hard water, salt deposits will block the filter. These deposits need to be removed before washing the filter
Method
-Close the valve to stop the flow of water from the tank to the filter
-Remove the lid of the filter by unscrewing it
-Remove the lower tank of the filter in the same manner
-Remove the candles from the tank and place them safely in a plate along with their respective screws
-Pour out any water that is in the filter, and clean the filter using the cleaning solution and a scrubber
-Ensure that the dirt and salt deposits are completely removed, and the tank is sparkling clean
-After washing it with clean water, wipe it with a clean dry cloth
-Now wash the candle very carefully. Hold it in the palm while washing, and scrub it using the cleaning liquid and the scrubber till it is absolutely clean
-Wash the candle thoroughly with clean water and wipe with a clean dry cloth
-Fix the candle carefully in the lower part of the filter
-After all the parts are wiped, let the filter dry for about 30 minutes
-Fix the filter with the help of the plumber. Ensure that the lid is properly fixed
Cleaning the water cooler
Procedure
-Disconnect the water cooler from the electric power supply
-Open the lid of the upper portion of the water cooler
-The two black belts at the rim of the upper portion of the water cooler should be removed and cleaned with a scrubber
-Wipe them with a clean dry cloth
-Scrub the inside of the water cooler with the cleaning liquid
-Remove the salt deposits and dirt thoroughly
-Wash it with clean water. Wipe thoroughly with a clean dry cloth to remove any droplets of water that may be present
-Wipe the outside of the water cooler and its lid with the cleaning liquid
-Wipe these surfaces again with a wet cloth and then with a clean dry cloth
-The remaining water at the bottom of the pipe and outer areas of the water cooler should be wiped dry
-Clean the attachment plate, wash it with the cleaning liquid and wipe dry with a clean dry cloth
-After all the parts are washed and wiped, allow them to dry for 30 minutes
-Assemble the water cooler
-Press the ball like part at the top of the cooler to allow the water to fill the tank of the cooler
-Fix the black belts in place, and shut the lid tight.
-Fix the wire to the water cooler
-If there is any leak in the filter or the water cooler, inform the plumber immediately
Chlorination
Microbes causing diseases spread from one person to another through water, air, hard particles and food. 80% of diseases such as diahorrhea and cholera are spread through water.Therefore water has to be purified using a chemical called chlorine which is a germicide. This method of purification is called chlorination.
Method of mixing chlorine in the water tank
-Find out the capacity of the water tank
-Mix chlorine in appropriate proportion – 1litre chlorine to 10,000 litres of water
-It is dangerous if chlorine is in excess as the water becomes poisonous
-Also, if the quantity of chlorine is less, it is ineffective, and the process becomes futile
-Pour chlorine uniformly in all the four corners of the tank
Key points to remember
-Materials used to clean the water filter and water cooler should not be used for any other purpose
-Inform the plumber a day before the cleaning and keep all the required materials ready at hand
-The different parts of the water cooler such as the candles and the screws should be kept safely in a plate
-Cleaning of the water filter, water cooler and water tank should be undertaken on holidays when the number of patients is less
-To prevent living creatures such as the rat, squirrel, crow, from falling into the tank, as well as to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes, the tank should remain closed at all times
For a demonstration on cleaning the drinking water tank, the water filter, cooler and chlorination, please watch the video of the CD.
Student exercise
Answer the following
1.Why is it important to get safe drinking water?
2.What are the steps we can take to ensure safe drinking water to all in the hospital?
3.Describe the method of cleaning a water filter
4.How would you clean a water cooler?
5.What is chlorination? How would you chlorinate water in the hospital?
