Swine Flu and Drinking Water

Below is an article from Water Technology Magazine. Please read about how a pandemic could affect your water.

"DENVER — People can’t catch the so-called swine flu (H1N1 virus) from drinking properly disinfected tap water, even disinfected water originally drawn from a water source that had been in contact with infected people or animals, says the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the international association for water utility professionals.

In any event, in response to the possibility of a swine flu pandemic, the AWWA has prepared information about the safety of drinking water and resources for utility planning.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the swine flu can only be transmitted through person-to-person contact (such as by inhaling droplets from sneezing) or contact with a contaminated surface.

The AWWA says, “Water that has been treated through conventional disinfection processes does not pose a risk, even if the source water has previously come into contact with infected people or animals. This means that utilities practicing disinfection can assure their customers that treated water coming from the taps in homes and businesses is safe to drink.”

AWWA has reminded utilities that now is a good time to revisit emergency plans that address staffing issues in the face of a pandemic. Many utilities developed these plans during the outbreaks of avian flu in 2003–2005.

With its potential for causing staff shortages at water utilities, a pandemic could trigger water supply disruptions due to interruptions of power, chemical supplies or equipment operations. A January Journal AWWA article, “Water System Preparedness and Best Practices for Pandemic Influenza,” noted that illness and family care issues could create staffing shortages of up to 40 percent.

The Journal AWWA article addresses cross-training for essential positions, sequestering critical employees, and implementing vaccination and other personal protection measures to maintain adequate levels of staffing during a pandemic. The article also discusses best practices and other strategies to improve utility contingency planning.

AWWA said it also has developed information aimed at water consumers at Drinktap.org."

In this case, a few bottles of water stored for emergencies would be a good idea.

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