Even though it feels like the only thing anyone has been able to talk about for the past few weeks is the Coronavirus, the truth is there’s still a lot we don’t know about this deadly disease. Many were unsure in the beginning how fast the virus would spread once it got to our shores. There was also conflicting information out there for a time regarding whether you should wear a mask (the CDC now says you should.) And of course, while initial predications seemed to indicate that the Coronavirus was unlikely to affect younger people, sadly, we now know this is not necessarily the case.
To that end, one question you may be asking is, “can the Coronavirus be found in my water supply?” Keep reading for what you need to know, courtesy of our skilled plumbers and water quality experts at Carter Quality Plumbing. Remember, you can always count on our team to provide you with the most trustworthy and reliable information available.
The Coronavirus & Drinking Water
A lot of people have been understandably concerned about whether the Novel Coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has been found in municipal water supplies, and if so, whether it can be transmitted that way. The good news is that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “The virus that causes COVID-19 has not been detected in drinking water.” The CDC also goes on to state that conventional treatment methods used to purify and disinfect municipal water supplies should be effective at either removing or inactivating the Coronavirus.
There’s some more good news about the virus’s relationship to water, too. As of right now, the CDC has also found no traces of the Coronavirus in pools, hot tubs, or water playgrounds, nor has it found any evidence to suggest that it can be transmitted via these locations. Furthermore, the CDC has not detected COVID-19 in municipal wastewater systems either. There is some evidence to suggest that the virus could be passed through feces, and it is worth mentioning that the SARS virus (which is a similar Coronavirus to the one causing the current pandemic) has been found in wastewater. That being said, the risk of catching the Coronavirus through any kind of water appears to be, according to the latest data, quite low.
It’s important to stress that there’s a lot we still don’t know about this virus, so current findings may change to show the Coronavirus can be transmitted in previously undetected ways. What is certain is that COVID-19 is frequently transmitted through airborne droplets, which can pass from one person to another within the same six feet. Even talking can release the Coronavirus in the air, and there’s some research to indicate it can survive on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and on plastic and metal anywhere between 48 and 72 hours.
Bottom line: it’s important to take this pandemic seriously. We all need to practice social distancing, and continue following the advice of the CDC: wash and sanitize your hands as often as possible, cover coughs and sneezes, avoid contact with anyone outside of your household, wear masks when out in public, and clean and disinfect surfaces frequently.
Carter Quality Plumbing Remains Open for Business
As part of America’s essential critical infrastructure workforce, Carter Quality Plumbing remains open for business even during this national crisis. If you are unsure about the quality of your water, feel free to contact our professional plumbers for a free water analysis. We also offer sewer camera inspections, backflow testing, and a range of other services designed to keep your family completely happy and healthy. We take the safety of our technicians and our customers extremely seriously, which is why we are implementing precautionary measures to provide the same great plumbing work you expect while doing our part to stop the spread of COVID-19. Call today to for quality plumbing service done with social distancing, and keep doing your part to flatten the curve!
To request service by phone, call (803) 998-2270, or contact us anytime online.