- Doug Bjornstad - District Manager
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT re COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
03-13-2020
JeffcoPSD Customers,
The District continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and create preparedness
plans. We are in discussions with Missouri Department of Natural Resources and
Community Health Departments to monitor this emerging and rapidly evolving public
health concern. Our planning will ensure that JCPSD will continue to provide safe and
efficient drinking water and wastewater treatment during this event. The following
information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines the effects of
the COVID-19 on drinking water and wastewater utility.
Water Transmission and COVID-19
Drinking Water, Recreational Water and Wastewater: What You Need to Know
Can the COVID-19 virus spread through drinking water?
The COVID-19 virus 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.
Can the COVID-19 virus spread through sewerage systems?
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.
SARS, a similar coronavirus, has been detected in untreated sewage for up to 2 to 14
days. In the 2003 SARS outbreak, there was documented transmission associated
with sewage aerosols. Data suggest that standard municipal wastewater system
chlorination practices may be sufficient to inactivate coronaviruses, as long as
utilities monitor free available chlorine during treatment to ensure it has not been
depleted.
Wastewater and sewage workers should use standard practices, practice basic
hygiene precautions, and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as prescribed
for current work tasks.
For more information - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html
(ref: Centers for Disease Control)