Can the COVID-19 virus spread through sewage systems?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is reviewing all data on COVID-19 transmission as information becomes available. At this time, the risk of transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 through sewerage systems is thought to be low. Although transmission of COVID-19 through sewage may be possible, there is no evidence to date that this has occurred. This guidance will be updated as necessary as new evidence is assessed.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a similar coronavirus, has been detected in untreated sewage for up to 2 to 14 days. In the 2003 outbreak, there was documented transmission associated with sewage aerosols. Data suggest that standard municipal wastewater systems with sewage aerosols. Data suggest that standard municipal wastewater system  chlorination practices may be sufficient to inactive coronaviruses, as long as utilities monitor free available chlorine during treatment to ensure it has not been depleted.

Wastewater and sewage workers should use standard practices, practice basic hygiene precautions, and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as prescribed for current work tasks.

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1. Do I need to boil my drinking water?
2. Do I need to buy bottled water or store drinking water?
3. Is drinking tap water safe?
4. Is tap water safe to use for hand washing?
5. What is EPA's role in ensuring drinking water remains safe?
6. What should I do if I'm concerned about my drinking water?
7. Is the COVID-19 virus found in feces?
8. Can the COVID-19 virus spread through sewage systems?
9. Should wastewater workers take extra precautions to protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus?
10. Can I get COVID-19 from wastewater or sewage?
11. Do wastewater treatment plants treat COVID-19?
12. Will my septic system treat COVID-19?
13. ¿Se puede propagar el virus COVID-19 a través del agua potable?
14. ¿Es seguro bebero agua del grifo?
15. ¿Necesito hervir mi agua potable?
16. ¿Es seguro usar el agua del grifo para lavarse las manos?
17. ¿Qué debo hacer si estoy preocupado/a por mi agua potable?
18. ¿Necesito comprar agua embotellada o almacenar agua potable?
19. ¿Cuál es el papel de la EPA para garantizar que el agua potable permanezca segura?
20. ¿Se encuentra el virus COVID-19 en los excrementos?
21. ¿Puede el virus COVID-19 propagarse a través de sistemas de alcantarillado?
22. ¿Deberían los trabajadores de las aguas residuales tomar precuaciones adicioneales para protegerse del virus COVID-19?
23. ¿Puedo obtener COVID-19 de aguas residuales?
24. ¿Las plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales tratan COVID-19?
25. ¿Mi sistema séptico tratará COVID-19?