Is Coronavirus in Drinking Water

Since one of the most important ways to limit the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus is to wash our hands, knowing the tap water we use is clean and safe is critically important.

According to both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 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.

In areas where centralized treatment is not present, “household water treatment technologies” including boiling, or using high-performing ultrafiltration or nanofiltration filters, solar irradiation, and, in non-turbid waters, UV irradiation and appropriately dosed free chlorine”, should be used.

While drinking water is considered to be safe at this time, the CDC is reviewing all data on COVID-19 transmission as information becomes available. One acknowledged risk is transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 through wastewater and sewage systems. While transmission of COVID-19 through sewage may be possible, there is no evidence to date that this has occurred.