Cold water, hot water and gas distribution in a single-family home

Although Legionnaires' disease is rarely found in single-family homes, it is still advisable to take precautions, in particular to purge hot water pipes in the event of prolonged absence, and to avoid critical configurations such as cold water pipes running close to radiators.

Legionellosis is a lung infection caused by Legionella bacteria. The disease is contracted by inhalation of fine particles of contaminated water, which can invade the lungs and then affect the immune system, hence the need for caution.

The presence of biofilm on pipe walls encourages the proliferation of legionella. But opinions differ on the choice of piping.

On the one hand, it appears that metal pipes, and copper pipes in particular, are better at delaying the development of biofilm, and therefore bacterial colonization, than synthetic pipes.

The quality of tap water is a concern for many French people, so much so that one in two buys bottled water.

UFC-Que Choisir has carried out a survey in France, providing an interactive map of water quality, commune by commune. The survey is based on four main criteria: pollution linked to human activities, pipe components, water treatment faults and natural characteristics.

In France, 95.6% of consumers have access to very good quality tap water, all year round. However, 2.8 million consumers receive water of inferior quality.

The leading cause of non-compliant tap water is the presence of pesticides, found in 5% of water distribution networks.

Agriculture causes the presence of nitrates in 0.8% of networks. Third place goes to bacterial contamination caused by faulty treatment or ageing potabilization plants.

Toxic components such as lead, copper, nickel and vinyl chloride can also be found in pipes. But their presence is rarely investigated and, if detected at a consumer's tap, is not considered representative of the entire network.

A rational solution is to keep a line of water at the kitchen sink that does not pass through the softener. If this is not the case, water filters offer no solution for drinking softened water, as their action has no effect on sodium content. To drink softened water with complete peace of mind, only the domestic osmosis unit, with its membrane, provides a satisfactory solution. This highly efficient water filtration device also requires regular maintenance to ensure that the water it delivers is beyond reproach.

Hot water production can be provided by a variety of appliances, from independent units to those linked to the central heating boiler.

A single-family home needs...