One, known as COVID - 19 of the respiratory system disease outbreak continued to spread all over the world.The who expert points out, thoroughly wash your hands regularly to prevent the spread of disease one of the main recommendations, which means more than ever, public places provide clean, safe water is very important to prevent the spread of disease.
In times of crisis, people of COVID - 19 can through water and wastewater transfer all sorts of problems are put forward.Water areas of the world's professional organizations, academic institutions and industry association released quickly orientation and guidance documents, by stating the corresponding concerns, and help to eliminate the error information of production and propagation and the source of the false news.
We collected under different channels and experts were sharing:
Drinking water and the new virus
The world health organization (who) issued a technical presentation in early march, for water treatment and the health industry professionals and enterprises with guide.Who said that there is no evidence of COVID - 19 virus survive in the drinking water or sewage, and again, the new champions league two main route of transmission of viruses is breathing or contact.
As a kind of coated virus, COVID - 19 "unstable", in the environment is not so stable, more vulnerable to oxidant, such as the effect of chlorine.The group added, the traditional centralized water treatment method using "filtration and disinfection should be able to inactivate COVID - 19 virus".
Should be used in areas where did not focus on "home" water treatment technology, including boiling, using high-performance ultrafiltration and nanofiltration filters, as well as in the turbid water, using ultraviolet irradiation and appropriate dose of free chlorine ".
The centers for disease control and prevention (CDC), points out that COVID - 19 virus has not yet been detected in the drinking water.
Drinking water is protected
From KWR water research institute, meanwhile, a microbiologist at Gertjan Medema Dr Confirmed that the Dutch drinking water under the various protective measures "immune" new virus.
Who asked Dr Medema in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus infection during the evaluation the risk of the disease spread by water and wastewater.He said: "from the surface water in the production of water drinking water utility companies are set up multiple sterile barrier, the purpose is to remove bacteria, viruses and protozoa, and drinking water safety analysis of microbes also provides guarantee for these barriers.Groundwater in the ground, on the other hand, are well protected now, from all of the microbial contamination, including virus."
Stantec international engineering company, said in a white paper, according to research published "meet the requirements of virus removal/inactivated water treatment process is expected to effectively control coronavirus".
Sewage and the new virus
In wastewater treatment, who added that "it or not, so far there is no evidence to suggest that, regardless of the wastewater treatment COVID - 19 virus has spread through the sewage treatment system".The U.S. environmental protection agency (EPA), said the sewage treatment plant is to deal with viruses and other pathogens, and the virus "particularly easy to disinfect.The water environment federation (WEF), said for employees to participate in waste water management, COVID - 19 specific protection measures are not recommended.Workers shall comply with the standard practice, to prevent contact with water.
During the outbreak of the operation of the water plant
In response to similar problems such as "if the workers have been quarantined at home, will also supply water?", the Australian water association (WSAA) responded: "the water companies has been fully prepared, cope with the effects of the COVID - 19.".
The Associated Press that, generally speaking, water treatment plants are safe, have standby power, need only a few staff can operate, some water treatment plants can be remotely operated.At the same time, more than water utility companies to ensure that the staff can operate water treatment plant and water supply system.In this case, if a person for a vacation, still can reliably supply safe drinking water.
However, American water works association (AWWA), said the potential absenteeism may "affect water and waste water system operators and fully the ability of operation and maintenance system, so as to increase the risk to public health".
COVID - 19 new virus challenge
Earlier this month, AWWA members conducted a survey, ask COVID expected business challenge - 19 (the results are as follows:
The most important results, including "absenteeism/business continuity" and "the influence of foreign business (meter reading, repair, etc.).
Federal relations manager Kevin Molly (Kevin Morley) said: "as a public health and environmental management, water professionals proficient in management and protection of water related risks, and plan for everyday and extreme events.New crown virus causing potential labor and supply chain problems, related to the effectiveness of service continuity."
Molly's advice utility companies ready to the potential impact on the operations, including staff absenteeism, and answer customer inquiries about water security.
