Coronavirus: LI Water Providers Say Water Supply Unaffected

Press release from ZE Creative Communications:

March 17 2020

Melville, NY—The Long Island Water Conference, an association of more than 50 water suppliers and other industry partners throughout Long Island—as well as the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners Association—would like to reassure the public that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has no impact on the public’s drinking water supply. In light of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic and increasing local concern, Long Islanders can rest assured that the delivery and quality of their water will remain unaffected. New York State regulations require all Long Island public water suppliers to routinely disinfect the water supply and the WHO has stated that these standard practices are an effective method of inactivating the COVID-19 virus.

“The Coronavirus is an airborne disease meaning it is not transmitted through water,” stated Long Island Water Conference chairman Richard Passariello. “The water delivered to Long Islander’s homes’ will not stop flowing and its quality is not impacted. There is no need to be stockpiling bottled water. The only aspects of our operations that have changed as a result of this situation are temporary policy changes that limit access to staff members and related customer-service facilities in an effort to keep our employees, and residents, safe.”

Every water supplier is required by their governing health departments to have an emergency plan for a pandemic situation. These plans are meant to provide clear guidance for the operations and maintenance of water pumping and treatment facilities for the types of situations currently occurring. Water providers are going above and beyond to ensure the safety of their residents and employees by implementing policies designed to minimize personal contact as much as possible.

“Water providers are acting responsibly and appropriately to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus,” stated Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioner Association Chairman William Schuckmann. “We ask members of the public to follow the directions of their individual water provider as well as the advice from the varying public health entities to ensure their safety.”

Water providers throughout Long Island have started implementing policies that:

· Close public-facing facilities such as administrative offices

· Prohibit the acceptance of in-person and cash payments. For alternative payment options, please contact your local water provider.

· Prohibit employees from entering the homes of residents except for emergency situations

· Educate staff members on proper hygiene as well as disinfection protocols.

· Rearrange staff shifts to minimize contact with one another

Residents looking to learn more about the specific actions being taken by their water provider are encouraged to contact them at their main contact number. If a member of the public does not know who their water provider is, the Long Island Water Conference has created an interactive map that will help identify their provider. To locate a water provider, please visit, liwc.org/findyourwaterprovider and enter the address of your home or business into the search bar above the map.

Residents interested in learning more about Coronavirus prevention and preparation are encouraged to reach out to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and/or the Nassau County Health Department.

This press release was produced by the ZE Creative Communications. The views expressed here are the author’s own.