SWH Water & Sewer District

Statement on COVID-19 Virus

We recognize that our services play an essential role in providing safe drinking water and safe treated wastewater. We are closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19)     outbreak and will provide updates to this notice as necessary. 

Information for our customers:
   The World Health Organization has published a Technical Brief which 

is highlighted here: 

• The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water supplies, and based on laboratory studies, the risk to water supplies is low.
• There is no evidence that coronaviruses are present in surface water or groundwater sources or transmitted through contaminated drinking water
• This family of viruses are not stable in the environment and are susceptible to disinfection  through oxidation, like chlorine. 
• There is no evidence that COVID-19 has been transmitted through sewers with or without wastewater treatment
• Current wastewater treatment techniques will inactivate coronaviruses.
• Best practices for protecting wastewater treatment workers health, such as the use of PPE and frequent handwashing should be practiced.

Effects  on MRWA training, and events:
   As of 1pm, Thursday March 12, 2020, Gov. Janet Mills confirmed Maine's first positive case of COVID-19.  The Maine CDC is recommending that all large non-essential gatherings (over 250 people) be postponed for at least 30 days.
 

   In response, we have cancelled the Management and Administrative Summit scheduled for Tuesday, March 17th.  All other classes and events are still scheduled as of now.  We realize that this is a fluid situation and appreciate your understanding.
 

   MRWA will always treat the health and safety of our attendees and participants as our number one priority.  We are closely monitoring the situation and will maintain regular contact with State and/or local officials including the Maine CDC.  We will take all reasonable precautions necessary to prevent the spread of disease including: 

• Disinfecting commonly touched surfaces throughout the venue we are using.
• Having hand sanitizer available and encouraging its use.
• Encouraging a “no handshake” policy at the event.

In addition, we request you to stay home if you are sick or demonstrate health     symptoms that could impact others, or believe you have or may have been exposed to the COVID-19 or other virus.
 

   For more information from trusted sources:
   Maine CDC  https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/airborne/coronavirus.shtml?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
   US CDC  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html
   World Health Organization https://www.who.int/publications-detail/water-sanitation-hygiene-and-waste-management-for-covid-19
   CISA https://www.eeoc.gov/facts/pandemic_flu.html
   US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
   Water Environment Federation https://www.wef.org/news-hub/wef-news/the-water-professionals-guide-to-the-2019-novel-coronavirus/
   National Rural Water Association https://nrwa.org/2020/03/nrwa-statement-on-the-covid-19-virus/
   AWWA  https://www.awwa.org/Resources-Tools/Resource-Topics/Coronavirus 

   Water, sanitation, hygiene and waste management for the COVID-19 virus:     

Technical Brief. (3 March 2020).  World Health Organization.  

WHO reference number WHO/2019-NcOV/IPC_WAH/2020.1