Page 1 - SPRING SUMMER 2020 FINAL 5.12.20_Neat

2020 Drinking Water Quality Report

Volume XX • Issue 2 Spring/Summer 2020

Great Lakes Water Authority - Your tap water is safe

The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) wants to
assure our communities that the water we produce
remains of unquestionable quality. We use disinfection
and treatment processes that are effective in removing
viruses, including the Coronavirus (COVID-19) virus.
Your tap water continues to be safe for drinking, cooking
and maintaining personal hygiene during the COVID-19
outbreak.

GLWA continues to use the guidance of the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC has
developed a Frequently Asked Questions page that is
linked our website (glwater.org). The COVID-19 virus has
not been detected in drinking water. Conventional Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA),
water treatment methods that use filtration and National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)
disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking and American Water Works Association (AWWA), as
water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus well as health organization such as World Health
that causes COVID-19. Organization (WHO), CDC, and state and local units of

GLWA is working with water service sector organizations government to keep abreast of information,
such as Water Environment Federation (WEF), developments and best practices during this pandemic.

Water and COVID-19 FAQs

Can the COVID-19 virus spread through drinking water? While there is ongoing community spread of COVID-19,
there should be appropriate care taken both in and
The virus that causes COVID-19 has not been detected in
drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods outside the pool, to protect yourself and others. Owners
and operators of community pools, hot tubs, or spas
that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most
should follow the interim guidance for businesses and
municipal drinking water systems, should remove or
inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19. employers to plan and respond to COVID-19.

Can the COVID-19 virus spread through pools, hot tubs Can the COVID-19 virus spread through sewerage
or spas, and water playgrounds? systems?

There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to CDC is reviewing all data on COVID-19 transmission as
humans through the use of pools, hot tubs or spas, or information becomes available. At this time, the risk of
water playgrounds. Proper operation, maintenance, and transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 through
disinfection (e.g., with chlorine and bromine) of pools, sewerage systems is thought to be low. Although
hot tubs or spas, and water playgrounds should transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 through
inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19. Continued on page 6