Coronavirus and Drinking Water: What You Need to Know
We hope everyone is staying healthy during this chaotic pandemic. To help avoid misinformation and to calm any panic, we wanted to bring you information about your drinking water and how to stay healthy.
Can the COVID-19 virus spread through drinking water? Is it safe to drink?
According to the CDC, the virus has not been detected in drinking water. They said, “Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.”
So based on that, water is safe to drink. You can continue to use and drink water from the tap as usual.
What should I do If I’m concerned about my drinking water?
Being that there is no evidence of the Coronavirus affecting drinking water, you should stay calm and not be concerned.
But if you are still concerned here is what you can do:
- If you are a homeowner who receives your water from a public water utility provider you can contact them to learn about the current treatments being used. Treatments could include filtration and disinfectants such as chlorine that remove or kill pathogens before they reach the tap.
- If you are a homeowner with a private well you may want to consider approaches that remove bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, including certified home treatment devices.
Ways to Stay Healthy
Know How the Virus Spreads
- The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Wash Your Hands
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, try singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid Close Contact
- Avoid close contact with those who are sick
- Practice social distancing which means to put distance between you and others to prevent the sickness from spreading. This is important for those who are at a higher risk of getting sick.
Stay Home if You Are Sick
- Please stay home if you are sick, it is not worth it to infect other people regardless of what sickness it is.
Cover Coughs & Sneezes Properly
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Immediately wash your hands
Clean & Disinfect
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
We’re All in This Together
As a community we have to make sure we do our parts by spreading reliable information, practicing social distancing, and remaining calm.
