COVID-19 Water & Wastewater FAQs

Description

Water and COVID-19 This page will be updated as new questions and information become available Water and COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions Where can I go for up-to-date information about COVID-19 and water? The EPA has a new COVID-19 page with information on many of the subjects addressed by this FAQ. Can COVID-19 be transmitted through water or wastewater? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “coronaviruses are susceptible to the same disinfection conditions in community and healthcare settings as other viruses, so current disinfection conditions in wastewater treatment facilities are expected to be sufficient. This includes conditions for practices such as oxidation with hypochlorite (i.e., chlorine bleach) and peracetic acid, as well as inactivation using UV irradiation.” You can find the CDC’s page on COVID-19 and municipal water here. Should wastewater workers be doing anything differently to keep themselves safe on the job? According to the CDC and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there is no evidence that wastewater workers need to take additional precautions. Workers should follow routine practices to prevent exposure to wastewater, including using the engineering and administrative controls, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment normally required for work tasks when handling untreated wastewater. What do we do if we experience chemical shortages? If we can’t find bleach? If we become aware of specific shortages or issues commonly facing water and wastewater systems, we will keep both the COWARN network and this fact sheet updated. During all kinds of resource shortages, whether of supplies or labor, utilities should utilize the CoWARN network. CoWARN is an organization that facilitates mutual aid and resource sharing between water and wastewater utilities, and it is free to join. Once a utility has signed the mutual aid agreement and becomes a member, they can “activate CoWARN” which will send out an email to all 162 CoWARN members with a request for help. Members will then respond if they are able to offer assistance. Often it is easy, quick, and inexpensive to get equipment and personnel help from a neighboring utility.