Norwich — As businesses affected by the pandemic begin to reopen, Norwich Public Utilities reminds all commercial customers who were closed for the past several weeks that water inside their building’s plumbing may have become stagnant.

The water can become unsafe to drink or use for domestic or commercial purposes. It is critically important that the stagnant water and any associated buildup in the plumbing and storage tanks for businesses be thoroughly flushed and replaced with fresh water and the plumbing exposed to the fully disinfected water for a suitable period of time, NPU said in a news release Tuesday.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends building owners and managers take proactive steps to protect public health by minimizing water stagnation during closures and addressing building water quality prior to reopening.

For more information about the health risks of stagnant water and guidance on restoring water service to ensure it is safe for use, please see the Return to Service Guidance published by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health at bit.ly/ctdphwater.