Stafford County, VA - Official Website

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COVID-19 Drinking Water FAQs

1. Can the COVID-19 virus spread through drinking water?: No. According to information found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.

2. Is my Stafford County drinking water safe?

Yes. Existing treatment requirements, water quality standards and design standards for construction of drinking water treatment systems and wells address viruses and microbial pathogens, including the COVID-19 virus.

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 and COVID-19 is not spread through drinking water.

3. What is VDH doing to help protect my drinking water?

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) continues to enforce all regulations and treatment requirements for public water systems that prevent waterborne pathogens such as viruses from contaminating drinking water. During a pandemic, waterworks are required to maintain the same water quality standards.

VDH has reached out to waterworks owners and operators to provide information and encourage owners and operators to prepare for potential future events.

In addition, VDH is continually reaching out to waterworks owners and operators to discover if they are being impacted by COVID-19, for example, loss of operational staff, lack of supplies and chemicals, or loss of support services, such a water quality laboratory.

4. Do I need to boil my drinking water?: Boiling your water is not required as a precaution against COVID-19.

5. Is tap water safe to use for hand washing?

Yes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that Americans continue to use and drink tap water as usual. According to the CDC, washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds helps prevent the spread of COVID-19.