The Corona virus has been in our lives for over 8 months, caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and doesn’t show signs of stopping.
Front line workers are in daily contact with the deadly disease. It’s a threat we constantly have to be mindful of.
Yes I said we…. Drainage specialists might not necessarily be the first people who spring to mind when you mention front line workers. But the current uptake in wastewater sampling to determine where outbreaks may occur, has really got our industry thinking. How safe is the water we work in and the water we drink after it goes through the treatment system and are we in danger of catching Covid from say swimming in the sea?
Environmental biologists have warned that the potential spread of COVID-19 via sewage ‘must not be neglected’ in the battle to protect human health. But WHO states there may be no evidence of the survival of the COVID-19 virus in drinking-water or sewage.
So it all comes down to time and being careful. These viruses can live outside of a host in any given environment and condition. A recent review of the survival of human Corona Virus on surfaces found large variability, ranging from 2 hours to 9 days. The survival time depends on a number of factors, including the type of surface, temperature, relative humidity and specific strain of the virus. The same review also found that effective inactivation could be achieved within 1 minute using common disinfectants, such as 70% ethanol or sodium hypochlorite.
Since the uptake on wastewater sampling C4 Plus Drainage have increased sterilisation levels and PPE. We use environmentally friendly sterilisation to flush drains that protect against all germs (bacteria, viruses and fungi) including Covid-19.
Our advice to clients is to continue to wash your hands regularly, to wear facemasks masks wherever possible, continue to social distance. And above all Stay safe!