The impact of coronavirus on water and wastewater

While there is currently no certainty about the occurrence and survival of SARS-CoV-2 in drinking-water or wastewater, our report looks at available studies that examine similar human coronaviruses, their survival in water and wastewater as well as effective inactivation measures. Although recent studies on surrogate coronavirus survival indicate that the virus can survive in fecal contaminated water for days or even weeks depending on water temperature and quality – and that the virus survives longer in primary rather than secondary effluent wastewater – the risk of exposure to the general public is thought to be minimal. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) standard water and wastewater treatment and disinfectant processes are expected to be effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2. For drinking water customers and recreational users of water bodies fed with recycled water, a well-operated plant achieving free chlorine and maintaining residual should address any virus, including SARS-CoV-2.

Furthermore, risks associated with SARS-CoV-2 exposure for workers at drinking water facilities is thought to be low. The main concern is for workers at wastewater plants. To mitigate risks the CDC recommends workers wear appropriate PPE when handling untreated wastewaters and by preventing exposure to wastewater by using engineering and administrative controls and safe work practices.