UPDATE: 3-19-2020
Major water associations: Tap water is safe during COVID-19 outbreak
National Association of Water Companies, the American Water Works Association and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies issue joint statement.
WASHINGTON, DC, MARCH 18, 2020 — As the global COVID-19 crisis continues to develop and reports of bottled water shortages make headlines, the National Association of Water Companies, the American Water Works Association and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies issued the following joint statement:
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, America’s drinking water supplies remain a safe and affordable way to access the water needed for drinking, cooking and maintaining personal hygiene during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Americans and Canadians can and should continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual as COVID-19 is not present in drinking water supplies. Disinfection processes like those practiced by water systems across the North America provide protection that includes filtration and disinfection of our surface water supplies and disinfection of our ground water sources. These treatments are effective in removing and/or inactivating viruses.
Efforts by some to profiteer off of bottled water shortages are inexcusable, but drinking water consumers can avoid being taken advantage of by simply using the water that is available in their homes from the tap.
“America’s water companies share a deep understanding of the importance of the reliability of quality water and wastewater services in our daily lives and during a public health crisis and are committed to taking steps to help ensure our water systems are functioning both reliably and safely,” said NAWC President and CEO Robert F. Powleson.
The municipalities and private companies that make up the 51,000 community water systems across the U.S. are taking measures to help protect their workforce so they can continue to keep the water flowing. This means limiting home repair visits and directing customers to pay bills online instead of coming into their water providers’ offices. Additionally, because of the outbreak and the need for access to clean water in order to promote personal hygiene and overall public health, many systems across the United States are suspending shutoffs for non-payments. If you are facing financial difficulty and cannot afford to pay your water bill at this time, please be in direct contact with your water provider.
“Water utilities throughout the United States and Canada are prepared to protect public health in normal conditions and in emergencies, and they are committed to keeping safe water flowing, 24/7,” said AWWA CEO David LaFrance. “During times like these, safe and reliable water service is essential for drinking and food preparation, hand-washing and carrying away waste.”
As COVID-19 response efforts evolve to meet the needs of the American and Canadian people, the member organizations represented by NAWC, AWWA and AMWA will continue to support the water systems by offering all of the water profession’s expertise and resources at our disposal. Together, we are confident in our ability to serve communities across the country with the highest level of efficiency, empathy and professionalism.
“These are challenging times for our nation, but despite the many uncertainties regarding COVID-19, Americans should take comfort in the fact that the virus does not spread through drinking water supplies. The nation’s water systems remain committed to the uninterrupted delivery of clean and safe drinking water for the duration of this crisis,” said AMWA Chief Executive Officer Diane VanDe Hei.
Click here for the full Article from Water World Journal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Charlottesville, VA – March 12, 2020 – As concerns grow over the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA), Charlottesville Utilities, and Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA) would like to reassure our customers that your drinking water is safe.
The Coronavirus does not affect the quality of your drinking water. Our multi-barrier water treatment and disinfection processes – the ones used to clean your water – remove or inactivate viruses. As with any emerging health concern, the ACSA, Charlottesville Utilities, and RWSA receive guidance from the Virginia Department of Health as well as professional water utility organizations. We are prepared to reliably deliver safe drinking water to our customers 24/7/365.
The CDC has produced an information page on their website about Coronavirus and your drinking water. You can find their information here – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html.
For the latest information about COVID-19, visit the Virginia Department of Health’s website at www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus.
For additional information contact Gary O’Connell, ACSA Executive Director, at 434-977-4511; Bill Mawyer, RWSA Executive Director, at 434-977-2970 or Lauren Hildebrand, Charlottesville Director of Utilities, at 434-970-3800
