ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on water systems in health care facilities. Water quality is also critical to scientific research and health care. In the US state, local, and federal agencies provide regulations for the construction, design, and operation of health care facilities. Most health care facilities are supplied with chlorinated potable water from municipal water systems that is distributed throughout the facility, stored until used, or treated with deionization or distillation before distribution. High-purity water is critical in clinical and diagnostic laboratories, as well as many areas of the hospital and health care facility. The primary objective in good housekeeping practice is to provide and maintain a healthy environment for staff, patients, and visitors. Most health care facilities provide staff and patients with a variety of recreational and therapeutic bathing facilities. Recognition of the occurrence and persistence of bacteria in potable water is important in establishing criteria for assessing the quality of water and for controlling potential health effects.
