COVID-19: A Water Professional’s Perspective - Webinar Review

The Covid-19 pandemic is prompting questions for the water supply and sanitation sector globally. Knowledge about the virus, its treatment and impacts is increasing. Last night IWA facilitated a webinar attended by over 1,000 people (and additional members through a facebook live stream.

The panel featured:

•  Joan B. Rose, Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research, Depts of Fisheries & Wildlife and Plant, Soil and Microbiological Science, Michigan State University
• Charles (Chuck) Haas, Department Head, LD Betz Professor of Environmental Engineering, Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Drexel University
•  Rosina Girones, Professor of Microbiology of the University of Barcelona and Dean of the Faculty of Biology
• Gertjan Medema, Principal Biologist, KWR, The Netherlands

These experts in water and sanitation from across the globe addressed some of the most pressing questions for water professionals.

The event focused on the impacts of the virus for the water sector. The expert panel discussed topics including the fate and inactivation of the virus during water supply treatment and the impact of this crisis on the water sector and water professionals.

The main transmission method of SAR-COV-2 (the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease) is through droplets i.e. respiratory transmission. The virus may multiple in the intestine and it is excreted. Infective viruses have been isolated in faeces. Children excrete the virus for a long time even if symptomless

To date there is no proof of faecal to oral transmission but it is possible. No infectious virus have found in sewage but it has been found using molecular methods. This indicates that waterborne route is not a high risk transmission method. Sewage surveillance using molecular methods have can complement public health surveillance. In two cities it has been found in sewage before detected by public health surveillance.

There is no epidemiological signal that sewer and STP workers are at special risk. The workers should follow the same precautions as for other pathogens in water. Particularly care should be exercised anywhere that aerosolization occurs including wet wells, primary screening and aeration. The virus could be stable for several hours. Extra care with PPE is warranted. The testing of wastewater workers should be supported.

There is good removal of the virus with secondary treatment. Standard chlorination is also effective. There is no good data yet on inactivation via UV.

The need for caution when bring shuttered buildings back into service was raised. Particular attention needs to be given to cooling towers and flushing the plumbing services.

Keep an eye out for more webinars from IWA and have a look at their information resources.