The City of Harrisonville Public Works Department is actively following the rapidly evolving situation regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus). We want to inform our customers and community about the current state of drinking water and wastewater in our community and let you know that we are actively working to ensure there are no interruptions in the essential services we provide every day.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Missouri Public Utilities Alliance and the City of Harrisonville want to reassure customers that the COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those performed by the City, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.
Drinking Water, Recreational Water and Wastewater: What You Need to Know from the CDC
For wastewater, the 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. However, it is recommended that wastewater and sewage workers should use standard practices, practice basic hygiene precautions, and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as prescribed for current work tasks; which our staff currently are.
Currently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that Americans continue to use and drink tap water as usual. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the, “presence of the COVID‐19 virus has not been detected in drinking‐water supplies and based on current evidence the risk to water supplies is low.” Additionally, according to the CDC, COVID‐19 is mainly thought to spread between people who are in close contact with one another. Further, EPA’s drinking water regulations require treatment at public water systems to remove or kill pathogens, including viruses.”
At this time, the World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated that, “There is no evidence to date that COVID‐19 virus has been transmitted via sewerage systems, with or without wastewater treatment.”