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<p class="MsoNormal"><img width="515" height="77" style="width:5.368in;height:.7986in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D602BC.E2DE1240"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Dear Cooperative Extension Directors, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We at the WRRC are hoping that you and your staff are safe and healthy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We realize that you may already be fielding questions about coronavirus issues pertaining to water and we want you to know that we are working to compile information and links to help keep you informed. In this week’s Weekly Wave, our lead
story will be on coronavirus in water written by Dr. Jean McLain in consultation with others. Another story is about how utilities are ensuring they have enough personnel to sustain operations. Most water/virus questions do not have equivocal answers yet,
but we hope the following summary will help you with your initial responses to public inquiries. Please note that research is ongoing, so we are also providing links to resources that are regularly updated. We will do all we can to keep you updated as this
topic develops. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black">Is drinking water safe?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Current studies specific to this virus outbreak have not been reported; however, drinking water treatment is designed to inactivate viruses. The World Health Organization has stated “presence of the COVID-19 virus
has not been detected in drinking-water supplies and based on current evidence the risk to water supplies is low.” Many utilities use sodium hypochlorite as a standard disinfectant for water supply and the practice has been shown to be effective against viruses
and bacteria.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black">Is groundwater safe?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Current studies on groundwater specific to this virus outbreak have not been reported. Groundwater should be treated using standard drinking water disinfectants, which are effective against viruses and bacteria.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black">Can COVID-19 be spread through wastewater?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">According to the EPA, COVID-19 is a type of virus that is particularly susceptible to disinfection and standard treatment and disinfectant processes at wastewater treatment plants are expected to be effective.</span>
<span style="color:black">Most wastewater systems include chlorination practices that are likely to inactivate the virus.</span> According to the Water Environment Federation, t<span style="color:black">he risk of transmission through feces is expected to be
low based on data from previous outbreaks of related coronaviruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="color:black">Useful Resources: <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.wef.org/">Water Environment Federation</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-drinking-water-and-wastewater">U.S. Environmental Protection Agency</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://new.azwater.gov/covid-19">Arizona Department of Water Resources, COVID-19</a><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html">Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Water Transmission and COVID-19</a><span style="color:black">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.asdwa.org/covid19/">The Association of State Drinking Water Administrators
</a><span style="color:black"> - has a downloadable COVID-19 and Drinking Water FAQ Sheet<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wishing you all the best – stay safe and healthy!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Claire <o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F4E79">Claire L. Zucker</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F4E79"><br>
</span></i><span style="color:#1F4E79">Associate Director, Water Resources Research Center<br>
Program Director, Water, Environmental, and Energy Solutions<br>
University of Arizona</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Water Resources Research Center<br>
350 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719-5633 <br>
Cell Phone: 520-869-8553<br>
</span><span style="color:#1F4E79"><a href="mailto:clzucker@email.arizona.edu"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#0563C1">clzucker@email.arizona.edu</span></a><br>
</span><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#1F4E79">WRRC:</span></i><span style="color:#1F4E79"><a href="https://wrrc.arizona.edu/"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#0563C1">wrrc.arizona.edu</span></i></a><br>
</span><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#1F4E79">Water Network: </span></i><span style="color:#1F4E79"><a href="https://water.arizona.edu/"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#0563C1">water.arizon.edu</span></i></a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
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