Q: Can COVID-19 virus spread through drinking water? In short, no. The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. The reason is that conventional water treatment methods such as filtration and disinfection remove and/or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.
Q: Should I stock up on drinking water at the store? Yes and no. Yes, stock up on it if you do not currently have emergency water in your emergency kit – after all you live in Southern California which is prone to earthquakes and wildfires. But, if you already have emergency water on hand, you do not need to stock up on additional water. This pandemic is not likely to interrupt your water service. Safe and reliable water supplies will continue to flow through your taps!
Q: You mentioned that I should have emergency water on hand in the event of an emergency such as an earthquake or wildfire. How much do I need? For emergencies such as these, the CDC recommends the rule of thumb – one gallon per person per day for a MINIMUM of three days. Don’t forget to include water for your pets.
Q: Can the COVID-19 virus spread through pools and hot tubs? There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs. Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (e.g., with chlorine and bromine) of pools and hot tubs should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.
Q: Can the COVID-19 virus spread through the sewer system? Centers for Disease Ccontrol (CDC) is reviewing all data on COVID-19 transmission as information becomes available. At this time, the risk of transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 through sewerage systems is thought to be low. Although transmission of COVID-19 through sewage may be possible, there is no evidence to date that this has occurred. This guidance will be updated as necessary as new evidence is assessed. Wastewater and sewage workers should use standard practices, practice basic hygiene precautions, and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as prescribed by the CDC for current work tasks.