Water Management Plan (WMP) Frequently Asked Questions
Why implement a Water Management Plan (WMP)?
- To reduce risk of disease for your employees, guests, patients, and residents
- To reduce your legal risk
- To protect your organization’s image, revenue, and brand
- To be a good corporate citizen
- To comply with CMS and ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188
How does a WMP reduce risk?
It helps you operate and maintain plumbing systems, cooling towers, decorative fountains, hot tubs, and other building water systems to minimize Legionella and other harmful bacteria.
What’s in the LAMPS WMP Platform?
LAMPS has editable WMP policies and procedures, training content for your team (articles, videos, courses), tools to help you document your control measures, control measure status reports, and robust analytics and reports for Legionella, disinfectant, and temperature data.
Is our data safe in LAMPS?
Yes. For more information on LAMPS Security, click here.
What steps are involved in setting up a WMP in LAMPS?
The first step is to gather information on the building’s water systems using the survey checklist we provide, and construct flow diagrams using the LAMPS templates, samples, and video instructions. After that, follow the step-by-step process of entering the facility information. The rest of the WMP is automatically generated for you but you can edit to your liking. Ongoing, you will use the documentation, training, analytics, and reporting tools to make implementation easier and more effective.
How much time does it take to configure a WMP in LAMPS?
Constructing flow diagrams is the most time consuming task. It can take from two to four hours or even longer depending on the complexity of the facility. However, constructing flow diagrams is also the most liked part of the process because it’s hugely beneficial and even kind of fun. After gathering the water system information and constructing flow diagrams, it only takes an hour or two to enter the data into LAMPS.
What expertise is required to set up a WMP in LAMPS?
A basic understanding of the building’s water systems. If you use a computer regularly and can identify the points where your water supply taps into a City main, enters the buildings, and is heated, softened, or treated, then you know enough to configure a WMP in LAMPS. Understanding basic plumbing (e.g., backflow preventer; pressure reducing valve) and cooling tower (e.g., drift eliminator) components is also helpful. Included with a WMP purchase is an e-Learning course describing water system flow and components. Course 103, on site surveys, is also included for one team member.
What if we get stuck and need help configuring our WMP?
An HC Info authorized WMP Partner can assist you in constructing flow diagrams, entering water system data, or setting up your control measures. Some partners also offer services to help you with ongoing documentation, verification, and validation.
Can someone set up the WMP in LAMPS for us?
Yes. One of our WMP Partners can do it all for you: Survey your site, construct your flow diagrams, enter your water system information into LAMPS, and help you set up documentation, verification, and validation. However, you should be involved in the process so that you will fully understand the WMP and be ready to implement it.
Why is the price the same for subsequent years?
We keep the price low for the first year. Although establishing a WMP for the first time is important, LAMPS is for much more than just getting a WMP document. The reporting, updating, training, and documentation tools are designed to save you time and make it easier to implement the plan.
If I pay by credit card, will I automatically be charged for a renewal?
No. Your subscription will automatically cancel after one year if you do not renew.
Are discounts available for multiple properties?
Yes. Discounts are available for 5 or more WMPs. We have about 10 pricing categories from 5 to 1000+ WMPs. Please contact us to request a price.
When does the one-year period start?
The timer starts when you activate the WMP in the platform, not when you purchase, so you can purchase now and start your WMP later without losing any access time.
What happens if we do not renew after the first year?
If you decide the WMP hosting, control measure updates, documentation and reporting tools, and LAMPS training is not worth the yearly fee, you may cancel at any time and continue using the PDF version of your WMP for the one site.
What are our payment options?
You can pay for WMPs by check or credit card. If you select “invoice” in the checkout page, you will get access to your WMP after we receive payment.
Can we put all the buildings on our campus in one WMP?
Yes. Only one WMP is needed for a campus with several buildings as long as they are managed by the same personnel.
We have several buildings that are all the same type and about the same size but they are located in different areas. Can we put all the buildings in one WMP?
No. Buildings located on different sites/properties should have separate WMPs even if the buildings are similar in size and type and located in the same city.
How should we handle leasehold interests?
It varies case by case. We discuss it in one of our courses and also in a LAMPS training note. In short, the ultimate objective is to ensure the building water systems are properly managed. Sometimes that requires only a meeting or phone call between the parties from time to time. In other cases, attorneys need to draw up contracts. Ideally, both the landlord and tenant will properly manage the water systems over which they have maintenance responsibility.
"The LAMPS software was a godsend for us."
As an attorney and consultant to the insurance industry on water management programs and underwriting the risk of Legionella, we have found the WMPs developed by HC Info to meet all the requirements of both the insured and the insurance company. The plans are cost competitive, comprehensive, and meet the regulatory as well as the user requirements.
“Due to a recent property assignment acquisition and facing newly enacted state requirements, we were left with very a limited time-frame to complete a cooling tower water management plan. I am grateful to have discovered HC Info, and thankful to our contractor for having recommended it. The [LAMPS WMP Platform] site made plan development simple and efficient. There were no complications along the way.”
"Completed the WMP, went very well. Found it very user friendly and easy to navigate. Definitely would recommend it. The class was also very helpful."
"Our facility worked with HC Info to create a water management plan that was evidence based, credible, and cost effective. The process was extremely efficient, easy to complete, and the HC Info team was incredibly easy to work with and available to address any questions or concerns."