Is our water supply safe during COVID-19?

In response to growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19, social distancing and 'shelter-in-place' orders are becoming increasingly common in states across the country. People are being advised to hunker down, work from home, and avoid contact with large groups of people for the foreseeable future. As a result, people have been clearing out grocery shop shelves and stocking up on toilet paper, canned goods and bottled water.

But why bottled water?

Some experts believe that the way people react to coronaviruses is usually in preparation for a blizzard, tornado or other serious weather problem. However, these same experts are taking the time to debunk the water supply myth in our recent pandemic response. Here's what you need to know.

Tap water is safe

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), urban water supplies are still safe to use. In fact, there is no evidence that COVID-19 can survive in water supplies and therefore cannot be transmitted through your taps. The virus is spread from person to person mainly through respiratory droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs. However, the virus can survive on different surfaces for up to 72 hours, which is why health officials are encouraging people to stay indoors, wash their hands frequently and avoid contact with people they know are infected.

Despite this, water treatment plants across the country are still operating normally, adhering to their strict filtration procedures that are in place to remove harmful bacteria, viruses and various other contaminants. This means that your tap water is still safe to use for bathing.

Will there be a shortage of water?

While it may be difficult to find a case of bottled water at the grocery shop, cities and towns must have plans in place to prevent community water supplies from being shut off during a pandemic. Many of them have what is known as a "continuous operation" plan, which ensures that their facilities are fully staffed during a national emergency or pandemic.

With this in mind, it is a good idea to consult your local community health department for more information on how municipal water supplies are maintained and handled. Although water consumption will increase as people wash their hands longer and take time to clean their homes, many water treatment facilities are fully equipped to meet demand.

Will my water be turned off?

The EPA and health and government officials in many municipalities are ensuring that their communities continue to have access to clean water. In this case, many local governments are suspending water shut-offs during "shelter-in-place" orders. With so many people out of work and the uncertainty of how they will pay their bills, this suspension means that no one will lose access to clean water supplies during the quarantine.

You can test your tap water

If you're still worried about what's in your tap water, there are inexpensive home water testing kits that can test for levels of chlorine and other elements. Conducting the tests is easy and can provide a fun and interactive way for parents to engage their children in the practice of science right at home. If you are at home and have transitioned to homeschooling your children, use these tests as a science lesson while finding out what is floating in the water.