COVID-19 Drinking Water FAQs

COVID-19 Drinking Water FAQs

March 20, 2020

Can the COVID-19 virus spread through drinking water?

No. According to information found on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website, conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19. Water systems have not detected the COVID-19 virus in drinking water.

Is my municipal drinking water safe?

Yes. Existing treatment requirements, water quality standards, and design standards for construction of wells address viruses and microbial pathogens, including the COVID-19 virus.

EPA recommends that Americans continue to use and drink tap water as usual. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the, “presence of the COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking-water supplies and based on current evidence the risk to water supplies is low.” Additionally, according to the CDC, COVID-19 is mainly thought to spread between people who are in close contact with one another and COVID-19 is not spread through drinking water.

Do I need to boil my drinking water?

Boiling your water is not required as a precaution against COVID-19.

Is tap water safe to use for hand washing?

Yes. EPA recommends that Americans continue to use and drink tap water as usual. According to the CDC, washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds helps prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Do I need to buy bottled water or store drinking water?

EPA recommends that citizens continue to use and drink tap water as usual. At this time, there are no indications that COVID-19 is in the drinking water supply or will affect the reliable supply of water.

What is EPA’s role in ensuring drinking water remains safe?

EPA has established regulations with treatment requirements for public water systems that prevent waterborne pathogens such as viruses from contaminating drinking water. These treatment requirements include filtration and disinfectants such as chlorine that remove or kill pathogens before they reach the tap. Additionally, WHO notes that, “conventional, centralized water treatment methods which utilize filtration and disinfection should inactivate COVID-19 virus.”

Do I need to worry about groundwater if not treated?

Groundwater undergoes natural processes, including natural filtration and attenuation, that facilitate the removal of viruses, bacteria, and other microbial contaminants, such as COVID-19. Water from properly constructed and maintained drinking wells is generally safe. If you are concerned about the presence of contaminants or pathogens such as viruses in your well water, it is a good idea to get it tested.

Is my water routinely sampled and tested for COVID-19, or other viruses?

Sampling for viruses is not necessary since EPA has established treatment techniques instead of maximum contaminant levels for pathogens, including viruses and bacteria. The treatment techniques involve routine sampling of directly measurable parameters, including disinfectant residual, temperature, pH, and turbidity. This routine and ongoing sampling demonstrates that the treatment is effective to address pathogens including viruses; therefore, water system do not need to test for COVID-19 and other viruses.

Are there reports of operators at water treatment plants getting COVID-19? If so, is my water safe to drink?

VDH is reaching out to waterworks owners to determine if there are any problems related to COVID-19 and we have not received reports of water treatment plant operators with COVID-19. Waterworks are required to have plans in place to keep their water treatment plants operating, even in a pandemic. These emergency operation plans make sure they have enough staff on hand to keep critical services functioning.

Are EPA or VDH waiving any water quality, treatment, sampling or operational requirements for waterworks?

VDH and EPA have not changed any of the water quality, treatment, sampling, or operational requirements in response to COVID-19.

What is VDH doing to help protect my drinking water?

VDH continues to enforce all regulations and treatment requirements for public water systems that prevent waterborne pathogens such as viruses from contaminating drinking water. During a pandemic, waterworks are required to maintain the same water quality standards.

VDH has reached out to waterworks owners and operators to provide information and encourage owners and operators to prepare for potential future events.

In addition, VDH is continually reaching out to waterworks owners and operators to discover if they are being impacted by COVID-19, for example, by loss of operational staff, lack of supplies and chemicals, or loss of support services, such a water quality laboratory.

What should I do if I am concerned about my drinking water?

WHO has stated that the, “presence of the COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water supplies and based on current evidence the risk to water supplies is low.”

Homeowners that receive their water from a public water utility may contact their provider to learn more about treatments employed. Treatments may include filtration and disinfection such as disinfection with chlorine that inactivate pathogens before they reach the tap.

Homeowners with private wells who are concerned about pathogens such as viruses in drinking water should sample their water. If sampling indicates a problem, homeowner should consider approaches that remove bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, including certified home treatment devices.

If I wanted more information about my drinking water or have concerns about it, whom should I contact?

Contact your water utility for more information. If you have a private water supply, contact the local health department for more information.

What resources are available to learn more about drinking water and COVID-19?

The following resources are available to learn more:

https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-drinking-water-and-wastewater

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html

http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/

https://www.awwa.org/Resources-Tools/Resource-Topics/Coronavirus

https://www.asdwa.org/covid19/

http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/surveillance-and-investigation/novel-coronavirus/

https://www.wef.org/news-hub/wef-news/the-water-professionals-guide-to-the-2019-novel-coronavirus/ .

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/children-faq.html