SARS-CoV-2 Water and Sanitation Factsheet Update

March 6, 2020

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) also widely known as COVID-19, has been developing rapidly throughout the world and it is more important than ever to keep yourself updated and informed with credible information from reliable, scientific sources.

We have updated our Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Water and Sanitation factsheet based on the latest developments emerging around the disease.

Our factsheet encourages ‘business as usual’ in terms of hygiene practices:

- Wash your hands often with soap and water before and after eating as well as after attending the toilet.

- Wear appropriate PPE when working in areas where exposure to untreated wastewater is possible – safety goggles, face shields (or masks), gloves, as well and increased hand hygiene.

- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;

- Avoid contact with others if they have cold and flu like symptoms;

- Clean and disinfect surfaces;

- Cough and sneeze into your elbow;

- Stay home if you are unwell.

It is also important to know that standard water and wastewater treatment and disinfection processes used to control pathogen transmission via water routes are expected to be effective on SARS-CoV-2.

We encourage all of our members to keep informed and follow the instructions and recommendations as advised by The Australian Government and other trusted sources, such as:

Water Research Foundation – Coronavirus Research Webcast

World Health Organisation - Website

WSAA - Factsheet

Reference:

Australian Government Department of Health, 2020, ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert’, [online] https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert.