Berks County Water & Sewer Association

EPA Encourages Americans to Only Flush Toilet Paper Contact Information: EPA Press Office ([email protected]) WASHINGTON (March 30, 2020) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is encouraging all Americans to only flush toilet paper, not disinfecting wipes or other non-flushable items that should be disposed of in the trash. Flushing only toilet paper helps ensure that the toilets, plumbing, sewer systems and septic systems will continue working properly to safel...y manage our nation’s wastewater. While EPA encourages disinfecting your environment to prevent the spread of COVID-19, never flush disinfecting wipes or other non-flushable items. These easy steps will keep surfaces disinfected and wastewater management systems working for all Americans. Preventable toilet and sewer backups can pose a threat to human health and present an extra challenge to our water utilities and their workforce. Flushing anything other than toilet paper, including disinfecting wipes, can damage internal plumbing, local sewer systems and septic systems. Fixing these backups is costly and takes time and resources away from ensuring that wastewater management systems are otherwise working properly. EPA thanks wastewater utilities and their workforce for their courageous efforts at a time when resources may be stretched thin. Having fully operational wastewater services is critical to containing COVID-19 and protecting Americans from other public health risks. Our nation’s wastewater employees are everyday heroes who are on the frontline of protecting human health and the environment every single day. For more information, see https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus. See more

The Bureau of Safe Drinking Water has moved all of its COVID-19 guidance for public water systems and labs to a BSDW COVID-19 webpage.

EPA Encourages Americans to Only Flush Toilet Paper Contact Information: EPA Press Office ([email protected]) WASHINGTON (March 30, 2020) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is encouraging all Americans to only flush toilet paper, not disinfecting wipes or other non-flushable items that should be disposed of in the trash. Flushing only toilet paper helps ensure that the toilets, plumbing, sewer systems and septic systems will continue working properly to safel...y manage our nation’s wastewater. While EPA encourages disinfecting your environment to prevent the spread of COVID-19, never flush disinfecting wipes or other non-flushable items. These easy steps will keep surfaces disinfected and wastewater management systems working for all Americans. Preventable toilet and sewer backups can pose a threat to human health and present an extra challenge to our water utilities and their workforce. Flushing anything other than toilet paper, including disinfecting wipes, can damage internal plumbing, local sewer systems and septic systems. Fixing these backups is costly and takes time and resources away from ensuring that wastewater management systems are otherwise working properly. EPA thanks wastewater utilities and their workforce for their courageous efforts at a time when resources may be stretched thin. Having fully operational wastewater services is critical to containing COVID-19 and protecting Americans from other public health risks. Our nation’s wastewater employees are everyday heroes who are on the frontline of protecting human health and the environment every single day. For more information, see https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus. See more

American Water Works Association Alert! Utility Members Public Affairs Advisory Who: U.S. EPA and CDC... What: Additional coronavirus resources When: Available now The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have added some helpful resources for utilities receiving questions about the relationship between COVID-19 and drinking water. In a statement released by EPA yesterday, the agency said: There is no higher priority for EPA than protecting the health and safety of Americans. EPA is providing this important information about COVID-19 as it relates to drinking water and wastewater to provide clarity to the public. The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking-water supplies. Based on current evidence, the risk to water supplies is low. Americans can continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual. EPA has established regulations with treatment requirements for public water systems that prevent waterborne pathogens such as viruses from contaminating drinking water and wastewater. COVID-19 is a type of virus that is particularly susceptible to disinfection and standard treatment and disinfectant processes are expected to be effective. The EPA has a new Q&A available that answers the following questions: Is drinking tap water safe? Do I need to boil my drinking water? Is tap water safe to use for hand washing? What should I do If I’m concerned about my drinking water? Do I need to buy bottled water or store drinking water? What is EPA’s role in ensuring drinking water remains safe? Can I get COVID-19 from wastewater or sewage? Do wastewater treatment plants treat COVID-19? Will my septic system treat COVID-19? https://www.epa.gov//coronavirus-and-drinking-water-and-wa The CDC has also added a section on water transmission and COVID-19. It begins with the question: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html Can the COVID-19 virus spread through drinking water? The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19. AWWA launched a coronavirus resource page, which is updated as new information becomes available. https://www.awwa.org/Resources-/Resource-Topics/Coronavirus Questions should be directed to AWWA's federal relations manager, Kevin Morley at [email protected]. AWWA Delivers Valuable Member Benefits Members receive news and information, periodicals and Section membership, as well as discounts on technical resources, conferences and other online learning opportunities. Learn more. Comments or questions? Email [email protected]. We welcome your thoughts and suggestions.

Reminder!!!! Berks County Water & Sewer Association Meeting Thursday January 17th at 8 AM Location is Roessner Hall at Albright College