Failure to Maintain Sanitary Water Quality and Adequate Water Pressure
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate housekeeping and maintenance services necessary to maintain a sanitary, orderly, and comfortable environment in several resident rooms. Observations revealed that multiple rooms had brown water coming from faucets and very low water pressure, with water barely trickling out. These issues were noted in at least four rooms, with brown water observed for several minutes in some cases and low water pressure in others. Staff interviews confirmed that brown water was present in several rooms, and some staff members reported waiting for the water to run clear before using it. The facility's maintenance assistant indicated that recent plumbing work, including pipe changes and water shut-offs, likely contributed to the presence of sediment and brown water, as well as clogged faucet filters causing low water pressure. The facility administrator acknowledged that staff had not reported the brown water issue prior to the surveyor's observations and admitted that water quality checks were not performed after the plumbing work was completed. The facility's maintenance policy requires maintaining the building in a safe and operable manner, including compliance with regulations and routine maintenance, but these procedures were not followed to ensure water quality and pressure were restored after plumbing repairs. As a result, residents were exposed to unsanitary water conditions and inadequate water supply in their rooms.