Preparing for the Coronavirus Pandemic (Covid-19) and safe tap water

Worried about food and water supply during the Coronavirus pandemic / epidemic? Does the Coronavirus spread via tap water? How can you protect your drinking water from the Coronavirus?

For simplicity, we’ll refer to the virus as COVID-19 or Coronavirus even though it’s technically SARS-CoV-2, and the disease it can cause is COVID-19 (by analogy: HIV = virus, AIDS = the disease it can cause).

How do you prepare for the Coronavirus? Does it spread through tap water? Do you need a water filter for the Coronavirus?

Only time will tell how bad the spread of the Coronavirus will be in the end. Some predict that 40-70% of the population may get infected over the next 1-2 years whereas others think that it can be contained and slowed down by summer.

In the meantime it’s better to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Here’s a short guide on what you can do to prepare.

Tips to avoid getting infected by or spreading the Coronavirus

Wash your hands frequently
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Take minimum 20 seconds to wash your hands

Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

Maintain social distancing
Maintain at least 1-2 metres (3-6 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

Practice respiratory hygiene
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early
Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.

Source: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

Emergency supply list for Covid-19

It’s a good idea to always keep 1-2 weeks basic supplies in case of a major incident that closes stores or prevents us from going out. Here’s a short list of basic supplies you should have.

• Drinking Water and a Water Filter (See below for more details)
• Non-perishable food such as rice, pasta, canned vegetables and fish
• A can opener
• Trash bags
• A first aid kit
• A first aid book
• Prescription medication and basic over-the-counter medicines (antihistamine, acetaminophen, etc.)
• A Flashlight

Source: https://www.thespruce.com/emergency-supply-list-1388123

Clean water supply during the coronavirus

In case of panic buying one of the first things that run out is bottled water as people are stocking up. Therefore a high quality water filter is a great insurance to make sure you don’t run out of clean water. Read more in our 5 reasons to buy a water filter now.

In case of a real emergency you might also want to keep some water stored for 1-2 days supply.

Does Covid-19 spread via water?

The shorter answer:
Tap water is still safe to drink. There is no evidence on the survival of COVID-19 virus in drinking water or wastewater.

Sources:

• Major Water Associations Reassure Public On Safety Of Tap Water During COVID-19 Outbreak
• EPA assures America’s drinking water remains safe during the COVID-19 outbreak
• Water Environment Federation about Coronavirus

The long answer:
This is a new virus without an extensive body of literature on the effectiveness of water and wastewater treatment processes. And real-life experiences will vary due to water quality and treatment plant details.

According to a 2008 University of Arizona study, coronaviruses have not been found to be more resistant to water treatment than other microorganisms such as E. coli, phage, or poliovirus — which are commonly used as surrogates for treatment performance evaluations. Results from bench-scale studies suggest that the survival of coronaviruses is temperature dependent, with greater survival at lower temperatures. Therefore, coronavirus is expected to be reduced in raw wastewater and surface waters in warmer seasons.
Source: Wateronline about the Coronavirus

For tap water it’s very unlikely if the water is treated and disinfected (chlorinated) that the coronavirus will survive. There has not been any virus outbreak in treated chlorinated water in Europe for 30+ years. Combine this with a water filter such as TAPP and you can be confident that you are drinking clean tap water.

Could Coronavirus spread via bottled water?

It’s very unlikely that you will find the virus in the water but it could spread if you share a bottle with someone else or if you reuse a bottle and touch it after you’ve touched a surface with the virus. Therefore avoid sharing and reusing water bottles. There is no evidence that bottled water is healthier or safer than tap water.

Where can I learn more about how to protect myself from Covid-19?

Read more about how to protect yourself from the Coronavirus by WHO and Harvard.

Conclusion

• The coronavirus does not spread via tap water based on current available research
• Prepare yourself by stocking up on basic supply and a high quality water filter
• The coronavirus does not spread via bottled water unless you share or reuse the bottle

April 1, 2020

Written by: Magnus