COVID-19 and the Precautions Related to Drinking Water [Updated 13, April 20]

Everyone in the world is worried and impacted by the spread of the Corona Virus. To be more specific, the virus being termed as Corona is scientifically named SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2), and the disease caused by it has been termed as COVID-19. Now that we have gotten our terminology straight, the most critical and devastating impacts of this virus are related to health and economy. While the governments and NGOs around the world are trying their best to mitigate the losses, we are going to play our part in ensuring that this deadly virus does not interfere with drinking water or any other source of water.

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says on the relation of Corona Virus and water

“The virus that causes COVID-19 has not been detected in drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.”

While it says that municipal drinking water is safe to drink, but we all know that aging infrastructure, water pollution, and other factors make tap water comparatively unsafe to drink, and here is where water filtration options help you get rid of them. Please keep in mind that do not touch the community spigot in these days for drinking water until you are sure that it has been sanitized and disinfected properly by the authorities. Remember to use alcohol-based sanitizer before and after using public water sources.

One of our most trusted agencies, United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA says about COVID-19 Virus 

“The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking-water supplies. Based on current evidence, the risk to water supplies is low. Americans can continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual. EPA also encourages the public to help keep household plumbing and our nation’s water infrastructure operating properly by only flushing toilet paper.”

FAQs published on WHO website; mention that COVID-19 is not spread through drinking water

“People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.”

Now that we know that there is no evidence against COVID-19 spreading through water, US authorities have directed all the cities and water supply concerns not to stop water supply in any part of the country. So, you don’t need to worry and start stockpiling water, be relaxed, and trust our government as it is doing everything to ensure a continued supply of drinking water.

An article published in The Guardian states that

“90 US cities and states suspend water shutoffs to tackle coronavirus pandemic.”

Washing hands for 20 seconds is as essential as taking medicine for COVID-19, so shutting down water supply will cause panic and speed up the infection rate. The relevant authorities in every state are making sure that every American keeps on getting a regular supply of water in the same way before the outbreak.

COVID-19 and the Precautions Related to Water

As we are now positive and sure that COVID-19 does not spread through water, we still need to take some precautions regarding the handle of water at our homes during the lockdown. We have done considerable research on this topic and would like to present the following advices for you.

• You can use reusable water bottles without any worries, provided they are washed properly. You can use the following methods to keep your water bottles safe and free from all the germs

Wash with Soap – Use your regular dishwashing soap for cleaning your water bottle. Makes sure you wash it with hot water for better results and killing more germs. You can also keep your bottle in sunlight near your kitchen window.

Vinegar – Using vinegar also helps to clean down the germs and viruses attached to water bottles. Add ¼ of vinegar in the bottle and fill the rest with water. Let it stay in the bottle for a night and then wash it in the morning. You will get hygienic bottles fit for handling your drinking water.

Scrubbing Brush – Experts recommend the use of a scrubbing brush for a thorough cleaning. It reaches in every corner of your bottle and removes germs.

We suggest that you keep on washing your bottles in the same way once the COVID-19 is behind us, and everything gets back to normal.

• Keep your reusable water cups neat and clean, and do not let anyone touch them. If you are still going to office in these times, make sure you wash them after every use. It is better to use something that you are sure of, instead of using a disposable cup, which you don’t know that it has been sterilized or someone infected has touched it.
• Do not touch public spigots as they can be a cause of spreading the virus. If you have to do it as a must, make sure you sanitize your hand before and after using the spigot.
• Use a water filter for additional precaution against Corona Virus and other germs, bacteria, and contaminants present in the water.
• Passing your water through UV light kills 99.9% of germs present in water.
• Using chlorine drops in water is recommended for killing germs in swimming pools. Chlorine is also used by Municipal Authorities to disinfect water.
• You can also boil your tap water if you do not have a water filter installed in your home. Boiling water can be time-consuming and may cause some severe burns at times if not handled properly.

Final Word

We will fight this and rise again soon!